Johnny Depp portrays Sam, a highly eccentric and sometimes-mischievous young person. When Benny (Aidan Quinn), who runs a small auto-repair shop, loses a bet, he is forced to take Sam into his house. Already in Benny's house is another troublesome eccentric: his young sister, Juniper--better known as Joon (Mary Stuart Masterson)--who is suspected of being mentally ill, or even retarded. Sam's form of expression is the (brilliant) performance of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin routines. Sam and Joon soon hit it off...and love blooms.