Neil Jordan writes and directs this crime drama starring Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson and Stephen Rea. Fergus (Rea), an IRA member, is standing guard over a British soldier named Jody (Whitaker) who the IRA has taken hostage. Against the orders of his superiors, he engages in conversation with the man, who tells him about his lover Dil (Jaye Davidson), who lives in London. Moved by his captive's plight he helps him in a failed escape attempt, which leaves Jody dead and Fergus on the run from the IRA. He changes his name and flees to London, where he seeks out the mysterious Dil.