It's early 1997 on Marcosta Island, and time is of the essence. Mayor Jake Crawford has been blindsided by Derek Nielsen, the billionaire resort developer from Tampa. If left unchecked, Nielsen's latest scheme will rapidly undercut efforts to preserve the island's old Florida culture and native beauty. The situation appears bleak until a surprising opportunity arises: a famous Hollywood director has become inspired by the tragic tale of the island's former bridgetender, a decorated World War II fighter pilot. Jake pushes for the movie to be filmed on the island, believing the related activities and publicity will disrupt Nielsen's momentum. The rush to action leads to unexpected consequences, throwing Jake's mayorship and personal life into a precipitous downward spiral, threatening the gravest of outcomes.