Carey and Paul are reclusive shoemakers. Fragile Carey polishes the shoes while overprotective Paul does the books. Their world unravels when Carey becomes smitten with Anna. Worried about his friend's lack of experience, Paul tells him to be wary, but Carey's heart has begun its romantic journey...
Acting
Randy Hughson's vulnerable, lived-in performance as Carey.
Direction
Murphy's respectful, unsentimental gaze at disability and intimacy.
Director
Colleen Murphy
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
One of the rare 90s films to portray an intellectually disabled protagonist's romantic agency without condescension.
The shoe-polishing scenes were improvised; Hughson trained with actual cobblers for months. That rhythmic motion becomes erotic and heartbreaking.