[1] The film was directed by John Duigan and written by Dick Christie of Small Wonder-fame, and stars Elisabeth Shue as the title character, Aaron Eckhart as her older brother, and Jill Hennessy.

[2] A 28-year-old autistic woman named Molly McKay has lived in a mental institution from a young age following her parents' deaths in an automobile accident.

When the institution must close on account of budget cuts, Molly is left in the care of her non-autistic older brother, Buck McKay, an advertising executive and perennial bachelor.

While Buck initially balks at the suggestion, he finally consents to the surgery and Molly makes a gradual but miraculous recovery, speaking fluidly and interacting with others in a normal way.

[3] It was only released on a single weekend in twelve theaters, in order to meet legal obligations, and grossed only US$17,650 during its theatrical run, on a budget of $21 million,[4] making it a box office bomb.