Billy Bob Thornton directs and stars in this drama set in 1960s Alabama featuring an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, John Hurt, Kevin Bacon, Robert Patrick, Frances O'Connor and Ray Stevenson. Jim Caldwell (Duvall), an ageing World War I veteran, is the head of a family that includes two sons who fought in World War II, Skip (Thornton) and Carroll (Bacon). Almost 30 years ago the family was torn in two when Jim's wife left him and moved overseas to marry Brit Kingsley Bedford (Hurt). When Mrs Bedford passes away her will indicates that she'd like to buried back home in Alabama, setting the Caldwells and the Bedfords on collision course. How will the two families change each other?