[2] Out on parole in Quebec after serving four years for stealing, Dennis (Giamatti) returns home to find that his wife Therese has told his daughter Michi he has died of cancer.

Homeless and desperate for work as there is a recession, he reluctantly asks Rene if he can go with him to sell Christmas trees in New York City.

Olga asks Dennis to straighten the tree as an excuse, to the house where she cleans for a couple of dentists, offering him food and a shower.

Amidst the sales, Rene's wife Marie calls, letting him know she wants him to sign the divorce papers.

Olga visits them at their tree-selling lot with vodka, and she, Rene, Dennis and Nzomo, an African who had helped with the tree selling, drink through the night.

Returning to their small Quebec town, Dennis watches from a distance as Michi plays her new piano, then hugs her mom and Rene happily.