Charlie Simms is a student at a private preparatory school who comes from a poor family. To earn the money for his flight home to Gresham, Oregon for Christmas, Charlie takes a job over Thanksgiving looking after retired U.S. Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, a cantankerous middle-aged man who lives with his niece and her family.

Cast

Al PacinoLt. Col. Frank Slade

Chris O'DonnellCharlie Simms

James RebhornMr. Trask

Gabrielle AnwarDonna

Philip Seymour HoffmanGeorge Willis, Jr.