Synopsis

After her adult daughter leaves home, recently widowed Mildred struggles with the sudden emptiness of her life. She finds a renewed sense of purpose when Monica, an overworked single mother living nearby, asks her to care for her young son. As Mildred becomes deeply attached to the boy and his mother, she must learn to balance caring for others with making room for her own future.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay was written specifically for Gena Rowlands by her son, Nick Cassavetes, and marked his first feature film.

• The film was made as a French-American co-production. Gerard Depardieu helped support the project through the French production company HPGD, which was connected with his admiration for John Cassavetes' films.

• Production took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, and San Francisco, California. Filming was conducted from June into July 1995.

• The movie gave Jake Lloyd his film debut.

• The title comes from Cyndi Lauper's song "Unhook the Stars," which plays over the closing credits.

• Gena Rowlands and Marisa Tomei received Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for their performances.

• The film opened in a limited U.S. theatrical release on November 1, 1996, before receiving a wider release on February 14, 1997.