Robert Mulligan's graceful coming-of-age drama, set in rural Louisiana in 1957, explores the relationship change two sisters experience when both fall for the handsome new boy next door, Court Foster (Jason London). The younger sister, 14-year-old Dani (Reese Witherspoon), gains Court's friendship and a brief kiss but not his romantic affections, which he delivers to college-bound Maureen (Emily Warfield). The once-close sisters turn into rivals while learning some painful lessons about growing up. But when a sudden tragedy strikes, they are forced to draw strength from their powerful familial bond. Witherspoon gives a moving performance in her film debut, and Mulligan demonstrates once again his graceful and tender knack (shown in previous films such as SUMMER OF '42 and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) for capturing the bewilderment, awkwardness, and fresh excitement of adolescence.