On July 15, 1988 -- the day of their college graduation -- two people from opposite sides of the tracks begin a lifelong friendship. Emma (Anne Hathaway), an idealist from a working-class family, wants to make the world a better place. Dexter (Jim Sturgess), a playboy, thinks the world is his oyster. For the next 20 years, the two friends reunite on the 15th of each July, sharing dreams, tears and laughter -- until they discover what they've been searching for, each other.