For a class assignment, Leo, a troubled but bright young boy, begins writing to Stephen, a convicted felon in prison. Through their communications, Stephen has a lifeline to the outside world and...

For a class assignment, Leo, a troubled but bright young boy, begins writing to Stephen, a convicted felon in prison. Through their communications, Stephen has a lifeline to the outside world and Leo finds strength and guidance as he struggles with his mother's tragic past. Academy Award Nominee Elisabeth Shue stars as Mary, Leo's mother who betrays her husband with a young handyman and becomes pregnant. After her husband is killed in a car accident, Mary bears Leo who becomes a living reminder of her sin and loss. Meanwhile, Stephen is released from prison and begins rebuilding his life with the help of two co-workers, Vic (Academy Award Nominee Sam Shepard) and Caroline (Deborah Unger) while Horace (Academy Award Nominee Dennis Hopper) tries to brutalize him into submission. Desperate to atone for his crime, Stephen embarks on a journey to help the troubled boy and perhaps in the process, he can redeem himself and others around him.