Two friends, Ralph and Scott live in a small minded town at the onset of wide public dissatisfaction with the Vietnam war. While Scott's brother enlists, he and Ralph are outspoken in their opposition to the war. Scott's attitude alienates him from his father and he and Ralph leave town to enjoy their 'freedom'. Various events lead them back to town where they learn of the death of the brother. This event proves to be the catalyst needed to bridge the gap between father and son and enlightens them both to the true cost of war. 六十年代末，越南战争正在进行中，拉尔夫（小罗伯特·唐尼饰）和斯科特（基弗·萨瑟兰饰）是一对生活在一个保守小镇的好朋友。斯科特的哥哥应征入伍前往越南，他们借机表达了自己的反战立场，斯科特的态度疏远了他与父亲的关系。斯科特和拉尔夫于是驾车离开小镇去享受他们心目中的自由，当他们回到镇里却得到了哥哥阵亡的消息，拉尔夫为了逃避兵役的妹妹贝丝（薇诺娜·瑞德饰）和斯科特前往档案处不慎被捕。斯科特哥哥之死成为了弥合父子隔阂的催化剂，并且引起了小镇人们对于战争代价的反思。
