this movie be actually show on pb when it first come out and and many school also utilize it in english class . it be an interesting drama revolve around connie ( laura dern ) and her friend and and adolescent life in rural northern california and or any other average american small town . basically and connie be attempt to escape her stifling everyday life while she and her mother be constantly at odds ( well play by mary kay place ) while and she spend most of her time at the mall while just like many kid and she have no direction and but enjoy meet other kid at the local hamburger stand while eventually and after several encounter and she meet treat williams and who be a little different than most boy . the short story by oates be actually base on the true story of a serial killer in tucson az and who be nickname the pied piper of tucson . the story take off into more tension from there while you should read the short story and a you will get the meaning of arnold friend or treat williams a lot well while the character be well portray by treat williams while suave and smooth and dangerous . just what most young girl be attract to . all in all and a very good movie while and laura dern be good in the role and very vulnerable and impressionable while the novel project the impression of a more standard beauty for the time . perhaps an actress like jenny garth or mira sorvino .