Caught in the web of inner city violence, extortion and drugs, Dean Costello (Jason O'Malley, in his acclaimed film debut) is a small-time gangster with big-time dreams for himself and his autistic son, Shane. When his marriage to Lucy (Sherilyn Fenn, "Twin Peaks") falls apart and the doctors tell Dean that there is no hope for his son, he turns to a wealthy child psychologist, Stephanie "Stevie" Bloom (Brooke Shields) in a final effort to reach Shane. Stevie tries to convince Dean that he must commit himself to Shane and leave behind his life on the streets. But Dean's violent world continues to haunt him, and threatens to destroy the dreams he has for his son, for himself and for Stevie. In a final battle, he must face overwhelming odds... alone.