The year is 1971. Blocks away from Princeton University and just days after his graduation, a young Michael meets Ella, an elderly woman living alone and in need of a housemate. Michael cannot refuse her offer of free lodging, since he hopes to stay in town and ride out the Vietnam War draft-a war that has already taken his friend's life. As their friendship grows, Michael learns of Ella's remarkable past as a Russian countess: Ella is a...