This British drama offers a character study of the friendship between two total opposites; one a shy homosexual, and the other a heterosexual petty thief. The story begins as Harry, the introverted gay fellow who carries a huge burgundy colored birthmark in the shape of Madagascar upon his forehead, unsuccessfully tries to find love at a local gay bar. Once home in his seedy apartment, the despondent fellow decides to get in his car and drive to wherever the road will take him. He ends up on a lonely beach where he spies an overturned bucket that is just about to be covered by the rising tide. He picks it up and discovers that it conceals the head of Flint who has been buried upright in the sand. The two end up living together, with the much older Flint being as gruff, as Harry is shy. Flint slowly helps Harry become more outgoing, who unsurprisingly, begins to develop deeper feelings and longings for Flint. He knows however, that if he lets slip his sexuality, that he will lose Flint's friendship. Harry then goes away on a trip; upon his return, the relationship between the men changes surprisingly.