Synopsis

Alice Goodwin, a Wisconsin school nurse and dairy farmer's wife, struggles to hold her family together after the accidental drowning of her best friend's young daughter on their property. As grief turns into suspicion and public hostility, Alice faces a child-abuse investigation that threatens her marriage, livelihood, and sense of self, forcing her to confront guilt, responsibility, and forgiveness.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film adapts Jane Hamilton's 1994 novel of the same name, which became an Oprah's Book Club selection in December 1999, shortly after the film's release.

• Pat Metheny composed the score, built around acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass, and chamber-orchestra textures. Warner Bros. released the music as a soundtrack album that also included additional pieces inspired by the film.

• The National Board of Review gave the film a 1999 Special Recognition award for excellence in filmmaking and named it a Best Independent Picture.

• Julianne Moore received the National Board of Review award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in this film, "Magnolia," and "An Ideal Husband."

• The two young daughters in the film were played by real-life sisters Dara and Kayla Perlmutter.

• Sigourney Weaver's performance earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. The screenplay was also nominated for an adapted-screenplay Satellite Award.