Set in the 1960s, the story revolves around the Field household as told in the novel of the same name by Barbara Gowdy. Jim is the father, a remorseless tyrant who treats his wife and three daughters with the sensitivity of a drill sergeant. Mom, who may be generally found lounging on the couch watching television, has many personal problems, among them deep depression that leaves her without the strength to deal effectively with her children. The girls stand at the door of womanhood and each tries in her own way to rid herself of the family’s stifling influence. Rebellious Lou finds escape in a relationship with an American hippie, the attractive blonde Sandy dreams of becoming a super housewife, and shy Norma, who doesn’t know where to turn, finds a possible way out of the vicious circle of family hatred in friendship with a girl from the neighbourhood. In their memories the three sisters return to childhood and to a tragedy which turned the family upside down...