In his first-class directing debut, Oscar-winner and box-office superstar Mel Gibson ("Braveheart," "Lethal Weapon" trilogy) stars in the wonderful, heartwarming story about the exceptional friendship between a troubled young boy (Nick Stahl) and a mysterious recluse named McCleod (Gibson), an ex-teacher with a severely scarred face and a tragic past. Struggling to pass the entrance exam to his late father's alma mater, the boy asks McCleod to tutor him, and together they build a friendship with the power to heal their wounds. Co-starring Margaret Whitton ("The Secret of My Success"), Gaby Hoffman ("Sleepless in Seattle") and Richard Masur ("Risky Business"). Tremendous critical acclaim! "A quality, intelligent production...a moving and substantial achievement" (The Los Angeles Times) and "Mel Gibson joins the Clint Eastwood and Robert Redford cult of first-class actors who have become first-class directors." (WWOR-TV).