John Kelso (John Cusack) is a young writer from New York who has been sent to Savannah to cover a very prestigious Christmas party, given each year by Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey), one of Savannah’s most prominent and colorful citizens. Kelso’s assignment seems straightforward — simply immerse himself in Savannah’s gracious Southern atmosphere and describe the party preparations and Jim Williams’ exclusive guest list and the event festivities. Unfortunately, things don’t quite work out that way.

In a sequence of events set in motion following his courtly Christmas party, Jim Williams is arrested for murder. Claiming self-defense, Williams has shot and killed his live-in lover, Billy Hanson (Jude Law), who, it seems, had a history of irrational, often violent behavior. Over the coming months, Savannah provides the stage for a morality play generated by Williams and reflected through some of the city’s more eccentric inhabitants. The situation becomes increasingly entangled, as gossip and Savannah’s unique approach to social disorder and problem-solving leave their stamp on events.