1929, in the east of the USA. Irish gangster Leo (Albert Finney) has no idea that his henchman Tom (Gabriel Byrne) is having an affair with his mistress Verna (Marcia Gay Harden). When rival Italian crime boss Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) demands the head of Verna's brother, Leo refuses to give in to the demand. A bloody gang war begins and Tom is suddenly between all fronts.