Leo Bailey is one of Australia's greatest living artists, whose genius battles to survive the effects of alcohol, cynicism and self-loathing. His daughter Margo, the only one of Leo's many children prepared to help, finds a willing but surly live-in-minder, the ex-con Therese. Added to the dysfunctional duo is the handyman Karl who has been given the task of removing a valuable mural but who keeps returning with offers of practical friendship...