A rich, jet-setting playboy has a secret life: he's also a professional Mafia hitman. When he decides it's time to retire from that life, he finds that his former employers don't like the idea that someone who knows so much about them won't be under their control anymore, and decide to send their own hitmen to eliminate him.

A widower arrives in Puerto Rico with his son Angelito. The father dies and the boy goes to live with his grandfather who plays guitar in the streets. Angelito accompanies him singing and earns good money, but a political uncle accuses the grandfather of exploiting the boy and takes him to an orphanage.

Professional gambler Dan Crown arrives in San Juan to visit his brother Alex, only to learn from the police that Alex has been found murdered. To Captain Acosta's questioning, Dan answers that he had no knowledge of his brother's affairs. Dan then finds Gina Rosario searching his hotel room, and together they begin to investigate Alex's death.

The film, which is an ode to Rafael Hernández's song "Lamento borincano", is a social commentary of the political and social policies of the 40's and 50's which led to the abandonment of what was seen by many as the "pure", "virtuous" life of the finca (farm) for the "corrupting" influence of urban centers like San Juan and New York City.

In a small rural town, everybody lays eyes on Maruja, the most beautiful woman there. After the son of the mayor comes back from France, he also notices Maruja, setting forth events of love, jealousy, guilt, and anger.