All Is Bright

As Dennis (Giamatti) steps out of his four-year prison sentence in Quebec, he's met with a harsh reality: his wife Therese has deceived their daughter Michi into believing that he's passed away from cancer. The betrayal is compounded by the revelation that his old friend and former partner-in-crime Rene (Rudd) has started a relationship with his estranged ex. Dennis's anger boils over, and he unleashes a verbal tirade on Therese before later striking out at Rene in a moment of pent-up frustration.

With his parolee status hanging precariously in the balance, Dennis is forced to confront the stark realities of his new life: unemployment and homelessness during a recession. His only hope for redemption lies in an unlikely partnership with Rene, who's now entangled with Dennis's ex. In desperation, Dennis asks Rene if he can join him on a Christmas tree-selling venture in New York City, a chance to earn enough money to buy Michi the piano she's always dreamed of owning.

As they navigate the unforgiving streets of Brooklyn, Dennis and Rene face a series of setbacks, from being ejected from a café to a confrontation with another tree salesman. It's not until Olga, a Russian-born woman with a kind heart, buys their first tree that things begin to look up. Her kindness extends beyond her purchase, as she invites Dennis to join her for a meal and shower at the home of two dentists where she cleans.

The next day, Rene receives an unexpected phone call from his wife Marie, requesting that he sign the divorce papers. Crushed, Rene takes off for several days, leaving Dennis in charge of their tree-selling operation. When Rene returns, he's bearing an engagement ring intended for Therese – a gesture that only serves to further enrage Dennis.

Seizing the opportunity to vent his frustrations, Dennis tells two potential customers about Rene's betrayal, but his anger ultimately gives way to a newfound sense of purpose. He confides in Olga about his desire to find Michi the piano she so desperately wants, and she agrees to help him make it happen.

As the night wears on, Olga, Rene, Dennis, and Nzomo – an African man who's been instrumental in their tree-selling efforts – gather at their lot, sharing vodka and stories as they navigate the complexities of their lives. The next day, as Dennis and Rene are robbed by a self-proclaimed blind man who had previously purchased a tree from them, Dennis seizes the opportunity to enlist Olga's help in pilfering a Steinway piano from the dentists' home.

With Michi's new piano at last within reach, Dennis watches from afar as his daughter plays her heart out, before embracing Therese and Rene with a sense of forgiveness and redemption.