Lily Bard (Gillian Anderson) only has a limited time to give to various experiences in her life. She is definitely hunting for a husband and financial security seems to be at the top of her list. What she hides well is her need to be loved, for who she is and not for what she can give a man financially. While socially pressured to find a wealthy husband, she longs for a man who will tell her he wants her, no matter what.

In fact, she has little to offer and finds herself in financial ruin shortly after trusting Gus Trenor (Dan Aykroyd) to invest her small fortune. She is not only naïve about finances, she has no idea men will expect more from her than she is willing to give.

There are many men offering her a way out of her situation, yet she can't seem to settle for anything less than love. And the only man who seems to ignore her is the one she wants. He offers her love once and she rejects it and feels she must marry someone wealthy to keep her social position to keep up with her addiction to luxury. When Lawrence (Eric Stoltz) says: "The only way I can help you is by loving you." She finds that what she has chosen seems hateful to her.

Bertha (Laura Linney) takes great pains to ruin Lily's reputation. Her husband George Dorset (Terry Kinney) cannot protect Lily as his own heart is in shambles. There is also some great humor in places where you really won't expect it.

Watching this movie only once will not alert you to the subtle metaphors and intrigue it contains. The script at times is simply delicious! Even though some of the acting isn't. You can't always have it all! The settings are so superior, I could endure a few poorly executed lines.

I love life and still enjoyed this movie. It is a warning, to not take the wrong paths in life, no matter how much we might want to take them. Lily has a good heart and many take advantage of her.

Heartbreaking!