The Rose Tattoo

Serafina, a Sicilian seamstress living in a close-knit community near the Gulf of Mexico, discovers she is pregnant with Rosario's second child. Estelle asks her to sew a shirt for her lover using expensive silk. Unbeknownst to Serafina, the lover is Rosario, and Estelle has a rose tattoo on her chest to match his.

That night, Rosario is killed in an accident while trying to evade police during a smuggling run. Serafina collapses from the shock, and the doctor informs Rosa that Serafina has miscarried. The tragedy fractures the family and changes Serafina's life.

Three years pass and Serafina withdraws from the world, her appearance and reputation deteriorating as she isolates herself at home. She avoids social contact and rarely leaves her dwelling by the Gulf. The loss of Rosario haunts her daily.

Serafina decides to attend her daughter's graduation, hoping to reconnect with life. Two prostitutes arrive, demanding that she quickly mend their bandanas for a political convention, and she reluctantly agrees but is revolted by their talk of men. Rosa introduces her to her sailor boyfriend Jack Hunter and Serafina has him vow before a Virgin Mary statue to respect Rosa's innocence.

Determined to learn if Rosario confessed to any infidelity, Serafina goes to the church but the priest refuses to answer. In the ensuing confrontation, a truck driver named Alvaro intervenes and drives her home. At home, she lends Alvaro the rose silk shirt she had sewn the night of Rosario's death, until she can repair his own shirt, and they agree to meet again.

Alvaro returns to see Serafina and impulsively gets a rose tattoo on his chest. Serafina is repulsed and tries to throw him out, but they end up driving to a club her husband used to attend. At the club, Estelle confesses and shows Serafina the rose tattoo as a symbol of her love for Rosario.

Returning home, Serafina smashes the urn containing Rosario's ashes and invites Alvaro to come back that night. The act signals a break with her mourning and deepens their entanglement.

Hours later, Alvaro arrives severely intoxicated and Serafina leaves him sleeping in a drunken stupor. Rosa returns home and Alvaro mistakes her for Serafina, attempting to kiss her, which prompts Serafina to eject him. The confrontation exposes the dangerous bond between Serafina and Alvaro.

The following morning, Serafina finds Alvaro on top of a boat mast outside her house, begging for forgiveness. Jack arrives and asks Serafina if he can marry Rosa, and she gives her consent. They prepare to move forward with Rosa's marriage.

Serafina calls Alvaro down from the boat mast in front of neighbors, insisting they pick up from where they left off. They go into the house together while a lively tune plays on her player piano, and laughter and celebration fill the air as they close the door.