Synopsis

A quiet New England family is thrown into crisis when teenage Jacob Ryan is accused of killing his girlfriend. His parents struggle with whether to protect him at any cost or cooperate with the investigation, while Jacob's sister and the wider community endure the consequences. As evidence and secrets emerge, the family must confront the moral cost of loyalty, deception, and truth.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on Rosellen Brown's 1992 novel of the same name, with the screenplay adapted by Ted Tally.

• Although the story is set in New England, filming took place in several Massachusetts locations, including Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, and Springfield. Some scenes were also filmed in Hackensack, New Jersey.

• The courtroom sequences were filmed at the Hampden County Hall of Justice in Springfield, Massachusetts.

• The Ryan family was originally conceived as wealthy Jewish Americans. That element was removed during development because the studio did not want to address the antisemitism-related implications.

• Paul Giamatti appears uncredited as a courtroom audience member. He can be seen in the front row during the grand-jury sequence.

• The film marked the final screen appearance of veteran actor Wesley Addy, who played Judge Grady.

• Howard Shore composed the score. The film opened in the United States on February 23, 1996, and earned approximately $8.8 million domestically.