Diego is an easygoing twenty-something who works in a surf shop and performs on the boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta for tourists. Diego’s seemingly carefree life is disrupted when his 93-year-old grandmother, América, injures herself and his father—América's sole care provider—is imprisoned for negligence. Diego returns to his hometown of Colima, Mexico, to share the suddenly urgent caregiving responsibilities with his estranged brothers, Rodrigo and Bruno, and to join in the effort to free their father. Caught between love and obligation, the eccentric trio of acrobats clash over money, communication, decision-making and the considerable challenges of caring for someone with dementia.

As a film, América is a tender character study of a unique family grappling with common conflicts and pressures. How long should the brothers put their own lives on hold to care for América? Even if they can free their aging father from prison, is he capable of caring for his mother on his own? Should family caregivers be compensated for their labor, or otherwise supported by the government? What stressors cause conflict among the brothers? And what can we learn about ourselves from their experiences?