is a 2001 American drama film about a relationship between Howie, a troubled 16-year-old boy, and a middle aged man known as "Big John".

[4] It stars Paul Dano in his first lead role as the boy Howie, and Brian Cox as John.

Howie Blitzer is deeply affected by the death of his mother in a car accident on the Long Island Expressway.

His situation is exacerbated by his acrimonious relationship with his distant father Marty, who brought a trophy girlfriend into the house less than a month after his wife's death.

Big John interrupts them, and they narrowly escape with a pair of rare and valuable Russian pistols.

Howie hastily leaves, but after returning home, masturbates to a fantasy involving John and the girl in the video.

Howie discovers a stash of child pornography in the house, including photos of a younger Gary as a blond 11-year-old boy.

Later that day, he is arrested for dangerous practices in his construction business, and when Howie returns home to find him missing, he believes his father has abandoned him.

The next morning, John is all charm, fixing Howie breakfast and taking him to see his father in jail.

[12] Both an edited version which received an R rating ("for strong sexual content involving teens, language, and brief violence") and the original unrated/uncut film are available on DVD.