Rich Manhattan art dealers Ouisa (Stockard Channing), and Flan (Donald Sutherland) open their house to Paul (Will Smith), a young black man they find stabbed in Central Park. Paul claims to be a friend of their children and the son of Sidney Poitier, and has soon charmed the couple with his rich anecdotes and gourmet cooking. However, it gradually emerges that Paul may not be what he seems, and his intoxicating charm may not be so easy to escape.