Dr. Frederic Treves discovers John Merrick, who has been born with a congenital disorder, working in a London sideshow to earn a living as the “The Elephant Man.” When Treves brings Merrick into his home, he discovers that that Merrick’s rough exterior hides a refined soul, and that Merrick can teach the British upper class a lesson about dignity.

When Jeff, a luckless young security guard, is drawn into a local murder investigation, he and his tightly wound supervisor become embroiled in an unexpected family fiasco, and two local beat cops end up divided by their own romantic and political allegiances.