Mr. Cox (ROBERT DUVALL) is a wildcat oilman -- a speculator who believes he can detect the site of a productive oil well just by examining the land around it. He's spent decades in the oil business, some better than others, but, although he's helped other oilmen make their fortunes, he's never had a strike of his own.

The year is 1935 and the Great Depression has etched its way across America. Mr. Cox has found himself moving from one Texas boomtown to another, living out of his suitcase, pursuing a relentless, elusive dream. His quest is for an oil strike so huge and so rich that he will find not only wealth, but validation for who he is and what he has always done.

The dream remains just out of reach. Now Mr. Cox has arrived at a crossroads near Henrietta. Texas, virtually destitute, with only his cat Matilda and the memories of his many near-misses to keep him company. He is a man to whom history has not been kind, acknowledged by his peers as an eccentric failure.

Driven by nothing more than complete faith in his instincts, Mr. Cox would be willing to risk everything for one real chance at success.