- Set in the lush Pacific Northwest, Claire of the Moon tells a timeless story of a woman's struggle as she awakens to new possibilities for love and intimacy.
- Female authors gather at a small northern coastal retreat to work on their writing skills. A first-time guest who lives for the moment finds herself struggling with her sexuality after discovering her roommate is a lesbian.—CCoggins <ccoggins@onmacon.com>
- After breaking up with her boyfriend, writer/novelist Claire Jabrowski (Trisha Todd) drives from her home in Los Angeles, California to Portland, Oregon, to attend the all-women's Arcadia Writers Retreat. There, she is assigned to share a cabin with psychiatrist Dr. Noel Benedict (Karen Trumbo), the author of a sex therapy book titled, 'The Naked Truth', and meets a circle of fellow like-minded female writers and admirers.
Claire attempts to crack Noel's uptight exterior by inviting her out to a local bar, but the doctor remains distant and annoyed by Claire's disorderly writing habits. Noel confronts Maggie (Faith McDevitt), the butch-type retreat leader, about the situation, but Maggie insists Claire will help Noel loosen up.
While Noel and the other writers attend a weekly group meeting to discuss their work and gender politics, Claire seduces a man named Brian (Damon Craig) at a local bar. The next morning, Noel proposes they establish a set of house rules, but Claire's messiness continues to irritate her.
At another meeting, Noel unapologetically admits to being a lesbian, which disturbs the group's brassy Southern romance writer, Tara O'Hara (Caren Graham). Claire, however, invites Noel to have a drink at the bar, which brings the women closer together. One night at the bar, Noel feels alienated as Tara and the other heterosexual women discuss penis size. When Brian approaches their table to say hello to Claire, Tara abruptly leaves.
Back at the cabin, Claire asks Noel about her sexual orientation, and the doctor recounts her first lesbian relationship with a former patient. Claire opens up about her past, and their bond deepens. After Noel and Claire get into a debate about intimacy between men and women, Noel buys Claire a drink to apologize for their disagreements. Claire questions Noel about the logistics of lesbian sexual intercourse, claiming she has an "academic" interest in the subject.
Sometime later, Claire is disturbed by a dream about kissing Noel, and she resumes her relationship with Brian.
At another meeting, Maggie confronts Tara's homophobia and mocks her salacious novels.
Back at the cabin, Claire massages Noel's neck to relieve her headache, but abruptly pulls away when she remembers her dream. Uncomfortable, Claire claims she is bored and suggests they play backgammon and drink tequila. When she loses the game, Claire agrees to impart the details of a sexual fantasy. Noel counters with her personal story, but begins to imagine Claire as her sexual partner.
One night, the writers group all get drunk and have a dance party, and Claire pulls Noel into a close embrace. Just as they are about to kiss, one of the other women bursts into tears over her recent fallout with her husband. Claire and Noel return to their cabin intoxicated, and Claire suggests they have sex. Noel refuses to get involved with a straight woman, but Claire insists she is simply afraid to act on impulse.
The next day, Noel reads Claire's novel and Claire goes for a jog on the beach, falling to her knees in distress. Later, the women meet while walking through the sand. They kiss, then return to their cabin where they make love for the first time.
The final shot, after the end credits, show Claire and Noel walking along the beach, hand-in-hand, now a couple.
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