Skipped Parts

Lydia is liberal-minded and reckless, prioritizing fun and personal freedom over conventional parenting. She banishes Sam and resists being called 'mom,' highlighting a desire to redefine family on her own terms. Her relationship with Hank and her move to a diner job drive the family’s Westward shift, while she navigates loyalty and protection in a tumultuous world.

Sam is a 14-year-old who stands out for being one of the few readers at Gro Vont High. He forms a close bond with Maurey, exploring adolescence, romance, and his own identity. His journey is one of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the struggle to find belonging within a shifting family dynamic.

Caspar is a prominent local businessman running for governor, whose controlling and prescriptive nature casts a long shadow over Lydia and Sam. He banishes them from North Carolina and keeps watch from afar, viewing his political ambitions as paramount. His grip on the family accentuates the tension between power, duty, and personal freedom.

Maurey is a peer to Sam who yearns to learn about sex and the world beyond her home. She becomes pregnant after a difficult period of exploration and ends up living with Lydia and Sam. Her decision about the pregnancy—into which the story deeply immerses—works as a catalyst for major life changes.

Hank is a Blackfoot man who falls for Lydia, bringing a romantic dimension to the narrative. His relationship with Lydia adds tension with Caspar's authority and challenges traditional expectations. He ultimately integrates into the evolving family unit, sharing in their challenges and decisions.

Shannon is Maurey and Sam's baby, born toward the story's end and symbolizing a new, blended family. Her arrival reframes loyalties and future plans for Lydia, Hank, and the others, anchoring the film's themes of responsibility and commitment.

In Sam's dreams, the Fantasy Girl—played by Drew Barrymore—serves as an aspirational image of desire and fantasy. Her appearances punctuate Sam's adolescent longing and highlight the disconnect between his inner life and outer reality. The character embodies the film's exploration of longing, fantasy, and maturation.