Mary (Piper Laurie) is a single businesswoman in her 40s. Tim (Mel Gibson) is a young day laborer who suffers from a learning disability. When Mary hires Tim to do work around her house, the two very different people discover they have a lot in common and become quick friends. Mary even decides to help Tim learn how to read, and while they spend more and more time together, their friendship grows into something deeper, much to the chagrin of their disapproving friends.