Amy (Rachel Weisz), a maid in the house of wealthy Miss Swaffer (Kathy Bates), falls for a Russian stranger named Yanko (Vincent Perez) after his boat mistakenly washes up in the seaside village where she lives. Despite the villagers' wariness of Yanko, Amy cultivates a relationship with him, while Miss Swaffer's doctor, James (Ian McKellen), teaches him English. When Amy marries Yanko, despite the objections of James -- who secretly pines for the sailor -- tragedy lurks around the corner.