McDormand plays the intelligent, and very pregnant, police chief Marge Gunderson, who investigates a series of related murders and a bungled kidnapping.

Kristin Scott Thomas portrays an aristocratic adventurer whose passionate love affair is at the heart of the film's flashback scenes.

Blethyn portrays Cynthia, a gentle-hearted, lonely white woman who agrees to meet and eventually bonds with her long-lost biological black daughter.

Watson makes her feature film debut as Bess, the long suffering wife. When her husband is paralyzed, he convinces her that she can aid his recovery by taking a lover and telling him of their acts.

Keaton plays the down-to-earth Bessie, who has devoted her life to taking care of her invalid father. Suddenly diagnosed with bone cancer, Bessie is forced to contact a sister she hasn't spoken to in 20 years.