When rural handyman and willful curmudgeon Flagg Purdy (Alan Arkin) accuses his friendly rival Gus Falk (Austin Pendleton) of cheating at checkers, the conflict escalates, and Flagg takes Gus to court. Flagg's actions create bad blood in the community, causing neighbors to shun him until he finally climbs into his "deathbed" and calls on his six children to pay their respects. Glenne Headly and Lauren Holly co-star in this charming comedy-drama.