An Englishwoman (Angela Lansbury) reviews her life with her adult children in mind.
Given an opportunity to trade her most cherished possession for comfort and security, Penelope Keeling (Dame Angela Lansbury) must take a good look at her future. With three grown children and a lifetime of memories, she realizes that something is missing: the simple joy she knew as a child playing on the beach. So she embarks on an incredible journey--50 years into her past--to discover the secret to happiness for her friends, her family...and herself.
Penelope Keeling is a withdrawn English matron from an artistic family. After suffering what seems to be a heart attack, Penelope reevaluates her past choices and decides to reconnect with her children, including Noel and Olivia. Looking back on her life, Penelope reflects on moments of both happiness and regret, focusing in particular on her ill-fated romance with one-time love Richard.