Joseph is the youngest member of a large family that owns a successful garment business in Los Angeles. His father, Jacob, makes no attempt at hiding the fact that Joseph is his favorite son, resulting in the constant envy and resentment of his brothers. Eventually, in their bitterness, they plot revenge against this favored son. When Joseph accompanies his brothers on a trip to New York, they commit the ultimate betrayal, stranding him there, a virtual prisoner in a corrupt, modern-day sweat shop.
A successful businessman in Hawaii disappears amid allegations of illegal activities. Years later his four sons bear the burden and repercussions of these allegations, as well, taking care of his legacy. Now when a stranger comes all sorts of things happen like a secret that their father kept from them and the truth of their father's disappearance.
When teenager David Bowers renounces his home and family to run off with a quasi-religious cult, his sister, Janet, sets out to bring him back, very nearly becoming brainwashed herself.