Jake Schmidt coasts through medical school and his radiology residency following the meticulous plan set forth by his family. He finds a girlfriend who seems a perfect match, then appears to land his dream position right out of training. Yet despite everything appearing to fall into place, something still feels amiss. As he approaches graduation, he finds himself lacking a sense of fulfillment. He is overcome by an uncertainty regarding the life path he has followed.

Inspired by his Uncle Steve, he makes a surprise decision to travel to Argentina during an unexpected gap that arises before the start of his new job. There he falls in love with a city, a woman, and a way of life. He learns to dance tango, helps to restore a vineyard, and teaches in a rural school. But just as he finally appears to have found the clarity that has long eluded him, tragedy strikes.