In Cuba, at the end of the 19th century wealthy Luis Vargas (Antonio Banderas) a successful coffee sales man is finding it hard to find true love. When he arranges a marriage with an American girl Juliet (Angelina Jolie) he is bowled over by her beauty and passion. But when a detective turns up looking for Juliet, Vargas learns that all may not all be as it seems and that Juliet is hiding a deadly secret. Not knowing who to believe Vargas is forced to breaking point trying to uncover the truth.