Great Expectations

The movie begins with young Finnegan 'Finn' Bell exploring the beaches of the Gulf Coast of Florida when he unexpectedly encounters an escaped convict, Arthur Lustig. In a tense moment, the convict overpowers Finn and coerces him into bringing food, medicine, and a bolt cutter for his iron leg shackles.

Finn returns the next day with the supplies and reluctantly agrees to take the convict by boat to Mexico. However, the police intercept Finn’s small boat with Lustig hidden on a buoy, forcing Finn to witness the convict's apprehension and subsequent sentencing to death.

Uncle Joe is summoned to Paradiso Perduto, the home of the wealthy Ms. Nora Dinsmoor, ostensibly for a gardening job. However, he receives a payment under the door, and Finn meets Estella in the garden, even though she initially dislikes him.

During Finn's first visit, Ms. Dinsmoor, intrigued by Finn's talent, forces Estella to pose for a portrait. As Finn draws, Ms. Dinsmoor warns him about falling in love with Estella, foreshadowing the emotional turmoil to come.

As the years pass, Finn visits Ms. Dinsmoor weekly to learn to dance with Estella, who eventually plays a trick on him. This flirtation gradually escalates, revealing Estella's manipulative nature as she teases Finn with her affections.

Finn learns that Estella has left to study abroad in Europe, leaving him heartbroken. He chooses to push thoughts of her and high society away, turning his focus to helping Uncle Joe's fishing business instead.

After seven years, a lawyer informs Finn that he will have a gallery show in New York City. Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, Finn decides to seize this opportunity, much to the astonishment of Uncle Joe.

In the East Village, while drawing in Tompkins Square Park, Finn unexpectedly encounters Estella. They share an impassioned kiss, rekindling the connection that had been dormant since her departure years ago.

Finn joins Estella for tea, only to be introduced to her fiancé, Walter Plane, who mockingly inquires about Finn's drawing fees. This revelation leaves Finn feeling out of place and reaffirms his feelings of inadequacy.

At a fancy event, Finn's frustration with Walter grows as he feels ignored. In a bold move, he asks Estella to dance, leading them to a passionate encounter at Finn's art studio, reigniting their relationship.

On the night of Finn's gallery show, he eagerly looks for Estella, but she does not arrive. Instead, he finds Uncle Joe, who unintentionally embarrasses Finn, leading him to confront his feelings of family and expectations.

In search of Estella, Finn discovers Ms. Dinsmoor instead, who reveals that she has come to New York for Estella's wedding. This cruel twist shatters Finn, bringing back painful memories and unresolved feelings.

Finn unexpectedly meets Arthur Lustig in New York. As they converse, Lustig shares that he has been Finn's benefactor, funding his art career because of the kindness Finn showed him in childhood.

As Finn accompanies Lustig, they find themselves attacked on the subway. Finn watches helplessly as Lustig bleeds to death, revealing his role in Finn's life as a mysterious guardian before dying in Finn's arms.

After internalizing the turmoil of Lustig's death and Estella's wedding, Finn travels to Paris to pursue art. He eventually returns to Florida, reconciles with Uncle Joe, and finds closure with Estella, ending their saga on a hopeful note.