Emily Watson stars in this powerful, emotional story about the choice between love and loyalty. As a child, Maggie Tulliver adores her brother Tom and desperately seeks his love and approval, but never receives it. While Tom grows up to be the kind of person the world approves of - dutiful and proud, Maggie becomes the kind of person the world judges harshly. A woman ahead of her time, brimming with intelligence and imagination, Maggie is difficult for her brother and the rest of her family to understand. Through her craving for intellectual stimulation, Maggie finds a kindred spirit in her childhood friend Philip Wakem. Though Philip feeds her mind, and eventually falls in love with her, Maggie finds her true passion is for her cousin Lucy's fiancee. Now she is faced with a choice to follow her heart or her sense of duty.