Gentle, shy Mr. Hoppy (Dustin Hoffman) is retired and lives alone, with only his beautiful balcony garden for company. But Mr Hoppy has a secret. He is hopelessly, passionately in love with the lovely, effervescent Mrs. Silver (Judi Dench) who lives downstairs. But unfortunately for Mr. Hoppy, Mrs. Silver is more interested in her beloved pet tortoise, Alfie. When Mrs. Silver confides in him that she wishes Alfie would grow, Mr. Hoppy hatches an intricate plan to win his true love's heart...with a little help from Alfie and 99 of his fellow tortoises.