Theresa Osborne (Robin Wright Penn), is an investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune who, after a rough divorce, completely turns to her son and her job.
One day, while jogging on the beach, he finds a bottle with a message inside, which turns out to be a passionate letter signed by someone named “G”.
The letter moves the journalist in such a way that she begins to search for its author, who turns out to be a sailor named Garret blake (Kevin Costner). This man has led a lonely existence since the death of his wife, and has the only help of his father (Paul newman).
Between the two love will arise, although the memory of the deceased woman is present at all times in the life of Garret, and of all those around him.