Ann, portrayed by Sarah Polley, is a 23-year-old janitor residing in picturesque rural British Columbia with her husband, Scott Speedman, and their two adorable daughters, Penny and Patsy. Once a bright student with dreams of higher education, Ann’s life took a turn after becoming pregnant at a Nirvana concert, a situation that brought her to navigate the challenges of motherhood at a young age. Together with Don, who earnestly works as a pool builder, they manage a modest life in an old camper provided by Ann's mother, played by Debbie Harry.
Despite their stable home life, Ann is haunted by her unfulfilled aspirations, longing for intellectual stimulation as she listens to foreign language tapes during her night shifts. Her days are filled with mundane chores, and although life as a trailer park wife seems to offer little excitement, she remains surprisingly cheerful, trying to make the best out of her circumstances. This sense of normalcy is shattered one fateful morning when Ann collapses at home. Her mother discovers her unresponsive and takes her to the hospital, where she's met by a shy yet untraditional doctor, Dr. Thompson (Julian Richings). In a moment that feels both comic and tragic, he struggles to deliver the devastating news that Ann has cancer affecting multiple organs – a diagnosis that leaves her with a mere three months to live.
Overwhelmed and unsure how to process this news, Ann chooses to hide her condition from her family, fabricating a story of anemia. Yet, she can’t escape the looming reality of her situation, which inspires her to create a bucket list of things she wishes to accomplish before her time runs out. This list includes whimsical desires such as visiting Whalebay Beach, and more intimate yearnings like exploring relationships outside of her marriage. One night, while out at a diner, she meets Mark Ruffalo as Lee, a land surveyor who becomes integral to her life. Their connection ignites an unexpected affair, bringing both passion and complication into her last few months.
As Ann wrestles with her choices and the fallout of her relationship with Lee, she knows she must prepare for her daughters' futures. She begins recording tapes for them to be opened on their future birthdays and enlists Dr. Thompson's help to ensure they receive these tapes, understanding that her time is fleeting. In the midst of this whirlwind of emotions and decisions, she attempts to discern who might be a suitable replacement for Don, inviting a new neighbor named Ann, who has a nursing background, into their lives.
As her health declines, Ann sets out to visit her estranged father in prison, craving a sense of closure and understanding. She can’t quite bring herself to confess her condition, yet this bittersweet reunion comes with its own layers of emotional complexity. The film exploring the human experience weaves through themes of love, loss, and the courage to face endings while nurturing hope for new beginnings.
Ultimately, Ann’s journey culminates in an emotional farewell, as she realizes the importance of leaving behind not just memories, but the love and hopes she has for those she cherished. In her final days, she reflects on her relationships, creating a poignant semblance of closure for herself and for those she will inevitably leave behind.
