In a small town in Indiana, a successful big-city lawyer, Hank Palmer, returns home after the death of his mother. The family atmosphere is charged with unresolved tensions, especially with his father, the stern judge Joseph Palmer, whom Hank has resented for many years due to his coldness and rigidity. However, the reunion becomes even more complicated when Joseph is accused of murder, as he becomes the prime suspect in the death of a man with a criminal background who had been released by him.
Despite his conflict with his father, Hank decides to defend him in a trial where emotions are running high. As he gathers evidence and confronts old friends and enemies, Hank delves into his family's history, uncovering secrets that will test his loyalty and principles. Flashbacks of memorable moments between father and son contrast with the harsh reality of the present, creating a poignant portrait of the complexity of familial relationships.
As the trial approaches, not only is his father's freedom at stake, but also a son's reconciliation with his family legacy. The film becomes an emotional rollercoaster, where love, pain, and the quest for redemption intertwine in an engaging narrative that explores how far we would go for family and truth.