In 19th-century Ireland, handsome and able-bodied young tenant Joseph Donnelly (Tom Cruise Tom Cruise) suffered the loss of his father. In order to avenge his father, the reckless young man is determined to kill landlord Daniel Christie (Robert Prosky). He was on the verge of success because of his mistakes, but he met the landlord's beautiful daughter Charlene (Nicole Kidman Nicole Kidman). Unlike her conservative parents, Charlene, who has a flamboyant personality but is delicate and simple, is determined to leave her native land and go out into the world. By chance, Charlene and Joseph fled together and boarded a ship bound for the United States. But their journey was full of misfortune from the beginning. Charlene's belongings were cheated or robbed, and her pockets were empty. The two temporarily live in a dilapidated apartment run by Boston tycoon Kelly, where the proud Charlene puts herself down to work in the factory, while the sturdy Joseph earns his living by boxing. In this process, they experienced the ups and downs of life, and gradually planted the seeds of love in each other's hearts.