Socially awkward Muriel Heslop (Toni Collette) wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, thanks to her oppressive politician father (Bill Hunter), Muriel has never even been on a date. Ostracised by her more socially adept friends, Muriel runs into fellow outcast Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths), and the two move from their nowhere town of Porpoise Spit to the big city of Sydney, where Muriel begins the arduous task of redesigning her life to match her fantasies.
