Plot

The film is set in The Bronx in 1964.

We are introduced to Heinz (John Turturro), the neighborhood bully who has just been released from prison, who wastes no time in letting everyone know he hasn’t changed by stirring up trouble again.

Heinz has just been released from prison after serving a term for attempted rape, and has returned to his old neighborhood to resume his relationship with his demented mother and to “rekindle” his own demented version of a relationship with Linda (Jodie Foster), the near-rape victim.

Harry (Tim Robbins) had protected Linda in the near-rape, but since then he has adopted a policy of non-violent response to violence (caused by the murder of his policeman father and the non-violent protests against racism espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King).

Harry has now become a Buddhist and a pacifist, and seeks to join Dr. King’s movement, making protecting Linda again a difficult task.