影片根据同名短片改编,寺岛忍扮演一位不再年轻、孤独、爱抽烟的东京职业女性节子,为了改变现状,在侄女美花的建议之下,报名了一个英文课程。来自美国的英文老师约翰让节子戴上金色的假发,为她取了英文名字露西。节子变身露西后,性格更加开朗,并渐渐爱上了约翰。一天,约翰突然失踪。节子得知约翰和美花在谈恋爱并且私奔到加州后,决心为爱来到南加州郊区寻找两人。节子为了实现“露西”的美国梦而竭尽全力,同时也在经历着家庭和往事的考验。The drama-comedy tells the story of Setsuko Kawashima (Terajima), a lonely, chain-smoking office lady in Tokyo who is past her prime. After deciding to take an English class, she discovers a new identity in her American alter ego, 'Lucy,' and falls for her instructor, John (Hartnett). When John suddenly disappears, Setsuko earnestly sets out on a quest to find him, eventually leading her to the outskirts of Southern California.