The film sets off with the poignant imagery of British author Virginia Woolf solemnly placing stones in her pockets, foreshadowing her tragic decision to end her life by drowning in the River Ouse—an event that indeed transpired on March 28, 1941. This heavy start leads us to the contrasting life of Laura Brown, who resides in the affluent suburbs of Los Angeles in 1951. On the occasion of her husband Dan’s birthday, which is portrayed by John C. Reilly, she engages in the domestic task of baking a chocolate cake, hoping to convey her love through this act of service. Their curious son, Richie (played by Jack Rovello), assists her, keenly questioning, “So Daddy will know we love him?” to which she confirms. Their tender interaction reveals Laura’s pregnant state with their second child, adding layers of complexity to her character who is also immersed in reading a hardbound copy of Mrs. Dalloway—widely acknowledged as Woolf’s masterpiece.

Simultaneously, in the bustling city of New York in 2001, Clarissa Vaughan is busy orchestrating an elaborate celebration for her dear friend and eminent poet, Richard Brown (played by Ed Harris), who has been bravely battling AIDS for years. Describing the emotional weight of her friendship, Clarissa cares for Richard in a motherly manner, reflecting her deep bond with him. Yet, as she prepares for the gathering almost single-handedly, her relationship with her unfaithful girlfriend Sally Lester, portrayed by Allison Janney, begins to show cracks, especially as several guests, including Clarissa’s daughter Julia (Claire Danes) and Richard’s melancholy ex-boyfriend Louis (Jeff Daniels), arrive.

In the backdrop of Virginia’s life in the UK, she starts to write again, trying to navigate through her battles with mental health after multiple suicide attempts. She and her husband Leonard Woolf (Stephen Dillane) seek solace in a quaint village outside London away from the chaos of city life. One sunny day, their lively visit from Virginia’s sister Vanessa and her children brings a flurry of activity and a stark contrast to Virginia’s fragile state. The pressure of preparing the home for her relatives causes her distress, particularly as she struggles with her demanding servant Nelly Boxall (Linda Bassett). This tension showcases her vulnerability and the strained dynamics of her daily life, particularly when an innocent burial of a deceased bird exacerbates her emotional turmoil.

As events progress, the narrative pulls back to Laura, whose friend Kitty (Toni Collette) brings hope yet sorrow through her visit. While Laura grapples with her own feelings of inadequacy in baking, the conversation turns personal and emotional, revealing Kitty’s struggles with illness. A fleeting moment of intimacy stirs a mix of emotions before Laura ultimately decides to craft a perfect cake for her husband, despite feeling overwhelmed. In a moment of contemplation, she escapes to a hotel, where she meticulously arranges her medicines beside her. This disturbing act signals her deepening despair, recognizing the flood of emotions that surround her.

Interspersed with Laura’s turmoil, the narrative returns to Richard, now revealed as the adult son in New York, who grapples with the weight of his existence. His emotional declaration to Clarissa reflects years of love intertwined with a reluctant acceptance of letting go. The celebration disrupts tragically as Richard surrenders to despair, leaving Clarissa to face the heart-wrenching aftermath of his death instead of the anticipated party. Even then, Richard’s mother Laura attends, reflecting on her own transformation into a “sweet old lady,” yet failing to grapple fully with the pain that shadowed her family life.

Back in the UK, Virginia’s journey of writing takes a poignant turn as she decides that in her new novel, her character should live. As she converses with Leonard, he displays a mix of support and frustration, ultimately committing to returning to London soon, blissfully unaware of the tragic culmination of Virginia’s life.

The film culminates as it began, with the heart-wrenching scene of Virginia Woolf taking her last breaths in the river, an echo of the powerful and tragic life she lived, leaving viewers with the profound reminder of the struggles of mental health and the complexity of love that transcends time.