Mariana is a Colombian immigrant who has recently traveled to New York with her two children, 10-year-old Gabriel and 6-year-old Andrea, in order to be reunited with her husband, Antonio.

However, one day Antonio leaves his family after announcing that he has found work in Miami, and it soon becomes apparent to Mariana that he does not intend to return.

When selling her homemade empanadas fails to bring in any money, Mariana and the children begin collecting aluminum cans off the city's streets.

[6] A review by Andy Webster of The New York Times said of directors Mendoza and La Morte that "both are deft with pacing, composition and atmosphere," in addition to claiming that the scenes involving Mariana's children "have charm and authenticity.

"[8] Michelle Orange of The Village Voice called the film "strangely resonant" and claimed the directors have a "mitigating eye for destitution.