In this touching drama, John Hurt plays Giles De'Ath, a reclusive widower who lives a life of Victorian isolation. His life changes when, caught in a rain shower, he finds refuge in a movie theatre. Instantly developing a wild crush on the U.S lead teen star, Ronnie Bostock, Giles soon travels to Ronnie's hometown of Long Island and through some scheming befriends him. The mentor/pupil relationship that ensues becomes threatened when De'Ath's ulterior motives are revealed.

Nominated Best Performance by a British Actor in an Independent Film, British Independent Film Awards.

Nomination for Best Actor of the Year, British Film Critics' Circle. 1999.