Muriel Heslop, a socially awkward young woman, is the target of ridicule by her shallow egotistical friends Tania, Cheryl, Nicole and Janine. She perpetually daydreams of a glamorous wedding to a handsome man who will get her out of the dead-end town of Porpoise Spit and away from her domineering father, Bill, a corrupt politician who constantly belittles his wife, Betty, and five children.