A former history major, Sam, has dropped out of college for reasons she can't explain. On her 22nd birthday, she has one big wish: to feel a part of history by seeing the Patek Comet, which comes only once every 150 years. But her day spirals out of control in a series of confrontations with her boss, family, friends and boyfriend - who bombard her with questions about her future that she's not prepared to answer.
Ave María Mulligan ha vivido toda su vida en Big Stone Gap, un pintoresco pueblo minero enclavado en los Montes Apalaches del suroeste de Virginia. Autoproclamada soltera, Ana María rehace su vida y la cambia para siempre tras enterarse de un secreto familiar, flirtea con el chico de quien siempre ha estado enamorada y se muestra expectante ante la visita de la estrella Elizabeth Taylor a Big Stone Gap.
