Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz), a forty-year old woman, has left a privileged life with her husband, Sir William Collyer (Simon Russell Beale) in order to live with a young ex-RAF pilot, Freddie Page (Tom Hiddleston). But Hester and Freddie's relationship is characterised by drunken rows; though their love-life is passionate- they have little in common. When Freddie forgets her birthday, Hester attempts to kill herself. As a result, Hester's husband re-enters her life and offers her a second chance with him, which Hester refuses.