Gus (Vincent D’Onofrio), an out of work chef, is content living in his small paradise surrounded by his young, beautiful wife (Beth Ann Bonner), vibrant garden, and beloved opera music. After a tragic Sunday dinner, Gus’s life is turned upside down when his cantankerous mother in law, Bidelia (Brenda Vaccaro), and her nutcracker collection invade his home. He turns to his oddball neighborhood friends, Blind Willy (Sal Richards) and Frank the Barber (Anthony Laciura) for help but instead they just make matters worse.  Gus slowly loses his paradise and his sanity as Bidelia methodically destroys everything that is sacred to him.