世界上魔术师千千万,但大部分都是招摇撞骗的欺诈师,而斯坦利(科林·费斯 Colin Firth 饰)属于有真本事的那一拨,虽然身为英国人,但是他却非常擅长表演东方魔术,在巡演的同时,斯坦利还进行着“魔术打假”的事业,将行业内的害群之马一一驱逐。 某日,来到法国的斯坦利邂逅了名为苏菲(艾玛·斯通 Emma Stone 饰)的少女,苏菲自称是灵媒师,能够和死去的人交流。不信邪的斯坦利一眼认定苏菲在说谎,于是她成为了斯坦利的下一个“猎物”。哪知道随着时间的推移,古灵精怪的苏菲渐渐动摇了斯坦利的意志,斯坦利发现自己竟然被这位神秘的少女给迷住了。
At Christine's funeral, her foster son suddenly shows up, a grown-up man with whom the family has been out of contact for quite some time. He brought a letter, stating that Christine wants to be buried in Wentelen, to the bewilderment of her biological children, and even more so to that of her husband. In addition to that, all the relatives are surprised that the foster son of Christine apparently maintained a correspondence with Christine. Nevertheless, Christine's last wish is respected, and they decided to bury her in Wentelen, and wish to do so traditionally, meaning walking behind the hearse. During a walk of several days, all the relatives (foster sisters, foster father, alleged friends and real ones, the foster son, lovers) have enough time to get to know each other better. Because in the end they have no other conclusion than that nobody really knew anyone. Old intrigues are dug up, the foster sisters finally learn why the foster brother just disappeared from the family, and they can begin to develop a real image of the mother. Once Christine's final resting place is reached and she is buried, all family ties, good and bad, are shaken around.