Ben Affleck stars a LA executive Buddy Amaral. While in Chicago on business, he finds his flight to LA delayed. Taking refuge in the bar, he meets Greg Janello (Tony Goldwyn), a writer anxious to return to LA to be with his family.
With his eye on the beautiful Mimi (Natasha Henstridge), Buddy gives Greg his ticket so Greg can get back in time - leaving Buddy some free time for Mimi. When he wakes next day, he finds the plane has crashed. Buddy's life begins a downward spiral, ending in alcohol rehab. After getting straight but still driven by guilt, he seeks out Greg's widow Abby (Gwyneth Paltrow).