In the sun-drenched expanse of the San Fernando Valley, Detective Kathy (Kathy Baker) and her partner probe the mysterious circumstances surrounding the suspected suicide of an unidentified woman. During the investigation, we meet Dr. Keener (Holly Hunter), a middle-aged physician torn between caring for her aging mother and confronting her own profound feelings of solitude. Her emotional journey reveals a struggle marked by an aversion to intimacy and an unquenchable yearning just beneath the surface. As she anxiously awaits phone calls from male colleagues, the film offers a raw look into her inner conflicts, reflecting both frustration and hope.
In her search for connection, Dr. Keener draws comfort from Christine (Calista Flockhart), a tarot card reader whose life is tightly woven with that of her partner Lilly, who faces a dire battle against a serious illness—that could potentially be cancer. This intricate web of relationships acts as a refuge for Dr. Keener, wherein she briefly evades the void that has settled deep within her soul.
Meanwhile, Rebecca (Cameron Diaz), a high-achieving bank manager who is "not big on regrets," becomes embroiled in a tricky love triangle. After three years of an affair with a married man named Robert, Rebecca's world is shaken by an unexpected pregnancy. In search of answers, she approaches Dr. Keener for advice on possibly terminating her pregnancy. Yet, before making a decisive choice, she experiences a short-lived romance with Walter, a subordinate whose simplicity and charm offer her a temporary escape from her troubled reality.
In a nearby community, Rose, a single mother and children’s book author, finds herself smitten with her new neighbor, a little person whose endearing mannerisms brighten her life. Little do they realize that their innocent interaction is about to lead them down a surprising path when they uncover his significant involvement in various risqué activities.
As Detective Kathy delves deeper into the suicide investigation, she cannot help but feel an attraction towards the medical examiner, which culminates in him asking her out. The film reaches an emotional climax when Dr. Keener has a chance encounter with Walter, weaving their stories together in a poignant reminder that life is knitted together through intricate connections.
Carmen's haunting presence subtly ties together the film’s narrative. Her character emerges in five pivotal scenes, each marking a significant moment in the lives of the protagonists. Initially, we catch a glimpse of her meandering past Dr. Keener's house—her footsteps echoing the quiet before turmoil strikes. Soon after, she walks alongside Rebecca, their shared journey underscoring the complex nature of human relationships. As the plot unfolds, Carmen reappears in a grocery store, her cart laden with mundane items, yet highlighting an underlying longing that is anything but ordinary.
As darkness settles, we find Carmen outside Christine’s apartment, her solitary silhouette a testament to the heavy burden of heartbreak. This moment captures the frail nature of human emotions, hinting at the delicate chaos of existence. Ultimately, Carmen's final appearance within the sterile confines of the coroner’s lab serves as a stark depiction of the severe impacts love can bring when it becomes irreversibly shattered.
As the story progresses, the intertwining paths of the characters converge, illustrating the cyclical nature of human experiences. Carol, an observer in the narrative, recounts Carmen's story, revealing that her return to her hometown was fueled by a desire to reconnect with an ex-lover. With each recollected moment, Carmen’s journey emerges as a carefully crafted preparation for this significant reunion.
From her initial search for belonging to carrying the fateful red dress—foretelling her tragic trajectory—the scenes depicting Carmen reflect the depth of her struggles. They encapsulate the duality of her existence, marked by mundane actions that obscure her internal strife. In her heartbreaking wanderings, she ultimately confronts the overwhelming weight of her grief, making the harrowing choice of suicide a desperate bid to escape the agony of a lost love that mirrored her past heartbreak.
