Cecilia and Diego dream of becoming parents. Since they can’t have a child of their own, their only choice is to adopt. This is how they meet Joel, a nine-year-old who moves in with them for a trial period at first. Communicating with the slightly distrustful and shy boy is not easy, since his answer to most questions is a terse “yes” or “no”. Getting to know each other, coming to terms with the situation and living together in a house in a small town in Patagonia will take time and patience on both sides. Eventually the boy starts to open up in school, but not really in the way his new parents would like him to. The stories about his difficult past and struggle with drugs that Joel shares with his classmates draw the wrath of other parents, worried for their children. The level of tolerance in this small, isolated community is put to a serious test. Using the conventions of social dramas, seasoned Argentinean director Carlos Sorín describes the double standards, hypocrisy, and distrust lurking behind smiles and outward kindness.