although initially they do not get along, a passionate romance between elizabeth and lota soon follows, as these women defy the social convention of their time - the new romance creates tension and difficulty with mary who has also shared lota's bed, and a decision is made for lota to aid her in adopting a daughter.

a rocky relationship of passionate and ecstatic love alongside poetic and at times tortured loss ensues between the women until 1967 when elizabeth returns to the us.

the film, based on the book flores raras e banalíssimas, (rare and commonplace flowers: the story of elizabeth bishop and lota de macedo soares) by carmen l. de oliveira, shows in depth character development alongside outstanding performances.