Frank (Peter Mullan) is a hard-working 55 year-old, respected in his local community, who suddenly finds himself without a job. For the first time in his life, Frank is without direction. When his friend Danny (Billy Boyd) jokes that on a clear day he could swim to France, an idea is planted in Frank's mind. Concealing his plans from his loving wife Joan (Brenda Blethyn) Frank determines to put his life back together by attempting the ultimate test of endurance - to swim the English Channel. In doing so he cements a broken relationship with his grown-up son.