In 1949, following a botched robbery, Manu is imprisoned in Paris and sentenced to death. While on death row, Manu begins writing a book based on his attempted escape from prison. Unbeknownst to Manu, his estranged father Joe has been fighting for presidential clemency for over 4 years. Eventually Manu is exonerated and set free. He goes on to become a sucessful novelist, only to learn years later of the debt he owes his father.