Hortense is a young, black optometrist, living in London. Her mother has recently died. She knows that she was adopted as a child and is curious to discover the identity of her true parents. A sympathetic social worker provides her with her case file. Hortense learns her real mother is Cynthia, a white, middle-aged, unmarried woman living in a grubby terrace house with her daughter, Roxanne, who works as a road sweeper. Cynthia's brother, to whom she is devoted, is Maurice, a successful photographer with a thriving business and a snobbish wife, Monica, who disapproves of Cynthia.

Maurice goes to see Cynthia and they reminisce about old times. Cynthia is upset that her brother has been neglecting her. Since Roxanne's twenty-first birthday is coming up, Maurice suggests throwing a party. Hortense rings Cynthia. Distressed, Cynthia at first disowns her, but finally agrees to meet her outside Holborn tube station. They go for coffee and, after an initial uneasiness, strike up a rapport. Cynthia says she became pregnant when she was a teenager but had never seen the baby after the birth. The two become friends and start socialising together.

On the day of the birthday party, Roxanne, her scaffolder boyfriend Paul and Cynthia all turn up together at Maurice and Monica's house. Monica shows them round. Having asked if she can bring a 'friend' along, Cynthia comes with Hortense. The mood at the party turns very sour when Cynthia lets slip that Hortense is her daughter. Roxanne is furious and runs off. Maurice persuades her to come back. Finally, everybody shares the secrets that have been blighting their lives. Monica admits that she can't have children. Maurice talks about the strain on his marriage. Everybody holds hands and cries. After painful catharsis and forgiveness, the family at last come together.

Sight and Sound