Russell Gates (David Strahairn) is a Vietnam vet on death row for killing a policeman. His childhood sweetheart, Pam O'Brien (Sissy Spacek), is stunned to learn this and does not believe he could commit such a crime. She writes to him much to the dismay of her husband Keith and becomes obsessed with the case, exploring every avenue that may still be open to the doomed man. The trips to the prison take a toll on both her marriage and her family.
Sissy Spacek
as Pam O'Brien
David Strathairn
as Russel Gates
Arliss Howard
as Keith O'Brien
Janet Wright
as Fran
Lindsay Murrell
as Rebecca
Leslie Carlson
as Dan
Ken James
as Mel
Christina Collins
as Ruth
Andrew Sardella
as Mark
Wayne Downer
as Policeman #2