In the 1990s, Maria Altmann, an elderly Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, embarks on a legal battle that takes her from her home in Los Angeles to the courts of Austria. The story begins when she discovers that her family, which had been stripped of its artistic heritage during World War II, still has rights to a famous painting by Gustav Klimt, "The Kiss." This work, which has become a symbol of love and loss, was stolen by the Nazis and now adorns the walls of a museum in Vienna.
Determined to reclaim what is rightfully hers, Maria teams up with Randy Schoenberg, a young lawyer with little experience in human rights cases but a strong sense of justice. Together, they face not only legal and bureaucratic hurdles but also the prejudices and resistance of those who would prefer for the past to remain buried. As they delve deeper into the painting's history and the tragedies that marked Maria's life, more complex dimensions of her family story, filled with heartbreak and hope, begin to unfold.
Through this personal struggle, the film explores themes of identity, memory, and redemption, highlighting the importance of confronting the past and fighting for what is right. Ultimately, Maria and Randy become symbols of resilience and courage, reminding us that history must not be forgotten.