

Earl Pilcher Jr. runs an equipment rental outfit in Arkansas, lives with his wife and kids and parents, and rarely takes off his gimme cap. His mother dies, leaving a letter explaining he's not her natural son, but the son of a Black woman who died in childbirth; plus, he has a half brother Ray, in Chicago, she wants him to visit. Earl makes the trip, initially receiving a cold welcome from Ray and Ray's son, Virgil. His birth mother's sister, Aunt T., an aged and blind matriarch, takes Earl in tow and insists that the family open up to him.

Robert Duvall
Earl Pilcher Jr.

James Earl Jones
Ray Murdock

Michael Beach
Virgil

Irma P. Hall
Aunt T.

Grace Zabriskie
Ruby

Regina Taylor
Ann

David Keith
Sonny

Xander Berkeley
Sunburned Man

Jacqueline Williams
Woman at Hospital

Mary Jackson
Carrie

Paula Marshall
Karen

Phillip Edward Van Lear
Club Manager

Meg Thalken
Doctor
Richard Lexsee
Truckjacker
James N. Harrell
Earl Pilcher Sr.
Lauren Leigh Phillips
Kindra
Ashleigh Jordan
Danielle
Saundra Quarterman
Young Aunt T.
Rufus Thomas
Tommy

Reggie Hayes
Virgil's Friend
Richard Pearce
Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Epperson
Released