Set in New York during the height of World War II, this movie recounts the unravelling of an American community when the identity of a man and his wife are mistaken. Lawrence Newman (William H Macy) served his country in the Great War, and has since lived a quiet, conventional life in New York, until he inexplicably finds himself a target of the neighbourhood xenophobes, who mistake him for being a Jew.

A man who was never one to involve himself in other peoples business, Lawrence suddenly finds that he can no longer just stand on the sidelines; because now, he IS the centre of attention, whether he wants to be or not. What ensues is a struggle for dignity and survival, with the search for happiness a distant hope.

An enlightening film, which delicately portrays such social conditions that some are unaware ever existed.

This title has been rated 11 times.