Matt Fowler is a doctor practicing in his native Maine and is married to New York born Ruth Fowler, a choral music teacher. Their only child, Frank, home from school for the summer, is working as a part-time lobsterman to earn money for graduate school in the fall. He is involved in a love affair with a local single mother, Natalie.

As the beauty of Maine''s brief and fleeting summer comes to an end, these characters find themselves in the midst of unimaginable woe as Frank''s relationship ends in tragedy. Subsequently, Frank''s parents are forced to negotiate their way through their evolving response to their loss.

Directed by
Todd Field

Cast
Sissy Spacek - Ruth Fowler
Tom Wilkinson - Matt Fowler
Nick Stahl - Frank Fowler
Marisa Tomei - Natalie Strout
William Mapother - Richard Strout
William Wise - Willis Grinnel
Celia Weston - Katie Grinnel
Karen Allen - Marla Keyes
Frank T Wells - Henry
W Clapham Murray - Carl
Julian Ashforth - Tim

Production Co.
GreeneStreet Films
Good Machine
Standard Film Company

Produced by
Ted Hope
John M. Penotti
Stephen Dembitzer (II)

Studio
Miramax Films

Writer
Andre Dubus
Robert Festinger

Music
Thomas Newman