A withdrawn young man, Leland Fitzgerald is imprisoned for the murder of a mentally disabled boy, who also happened to be the brother of his girlfriend, Becky. As the community struggles to deal with the killing, Pearl Madison, a teacher at the prison, decides to write about Leland's case. Meanwhile, others affected by the murder, including Becky and her sister, Julie, must contend with their own problems.
Don Cheadle
as Pearl Madison
Ryan Gosling
as Leland P. Fitzgerald
Chris Klein
as Allen Harris
Kevin Spacey
as Albert T. Fitzgerald
Jena Malone
as Becky Pollard
Lena Olin
as Marybeth Fitzgerald
Michelle Williams
as Julie Pollard
Martin Donovan
as Harry Pollard
Ann Magnuson
as Karen Pollard
Kerry Washington
as Ayesha
Sherilyn Fenn
as Mrs. Calderon
Matt Malloy
as Charlie
