Made on a shoestring, this gritty, low-budget, slice of life debut from director Gus Van Sant set the template for his later work. Managing a liquor store in Portland, Walt (Tim Streeter), who is gay, encounters two handsome illegal Mexican immigrants. Besotted by the young Johnny (Doug Cooeyate), who doesn't speak English, Walt becomes the two boys' protector, teaching them how to drive and trying to learn Spanish to get closer. With Johnny coldly indifferent to Walt's attentions, the desire appears to be strictly one-sided, but this doesn't prevent the friendship developing into one of mutual needs and desires.