凡事有因必有果。当面临道德极限的考验时,尼克、丽莎和伯瑞斯深刻的体会到了这一点,这时他们已坠入了友谊与理想交错编织的危险黑网中。这三个人目前都处在人生目标的十字路口,伯瑞斯是尼克的老朋友,正在准备学术论文,尼克则自以为崇高的为自己不断设定新的人生方案,丽莎这个迷人的女孩正一心攀登着自己的艺术象牙塔。酒醉的伯瑞斯被一个女孩威胁非礼并要诉诸警方,尼克现在是唯一可以帮助他的人。在改变人生的一刹那,他们必须做出痛苦的选择,既要对得起良心,又要不负友情……Bryce (Josh Brolin) is a successful man who returns to his tiny hometown for a visit. While there, he runs into his old friend Nick (Alessandro Nivola). The two decide to go out for the night. When they enter a bar, Bryce encounters Kathy (Reese Witherspoon), a blonde temptress whom he eventually takes home for the night. When he awakens, Kathy informs him that she is underage and threatens to tell the police that Bryce has committed statutory rape. Bryce panics and decides to tie her up and hide her away in the basement. He then makes a call to Nick. Unbeknownst to Bryce, Kathy is actually Nick's girlfriend Lissa. The two had schemed to use Bryce's money to pay off a $15,000 debt they owe small-time hood Jimmy (Terrence Howard).