Stuart Darby is financially at the end of his rope. His third mortgage is two months past due, and payments for his insolent daughter’s drug rehab program were late months ago. On top of that, Stuart feels he’s a failure as a father and husband.

Out of desperation he agrees to join a financial planning business his shady friend is forming. His wife knows the friend and protests, but relents once all other financial options run out. After some initial difficulties the money pours in. Stuart and his wife, Carly, are happier than ever but the elation leads Stuart to begin drinking heavily for the first time in his life.

After a DUI he reluctantly begins a treatment program, but is unhappy with his life. Once he’s sober and has some clarity, he begins to hate the criminal life he has led. He decides to better himself, get sober, and quit his illegal business. Just as this effort begins, he and his business partner are arrested, tried, and eventually sent to prison.
Stuart experiences all the harshness and cruelty of prison life, but endures primarily because his daughter, now sober with a college degree, is so supportive.

She successfully works to get him released, and once he’s out they form a dog-training business that focuses on hiring ex-convicts. Through the business they have a new start in life, and a new start in their relationship.