An introverted kitchen porter suffers from a defective heart that he seems determined to ignore. The only person he ever talks to is an unlucky-in-love waitress working at the same restaurant, and when she is attacked, he comes to her rescue. An unlikely romance develops between the two, but his condition continues to deteriorate and the men he fought off are determined to get revenge. Romantic drama, starring Christian Slater, Marisa Tomei and Rosie Perez.

Caroline, a young waitress who seems to have bad taste in men, is on her way home one night when thugs attempt to rape her. Adam, the mysterious busboy who works at the same diner, helps fight off the assailants, and she begins a relationship with him -- but not all their fellow Minnesotans are happy for them. Meanwhile, the couple face their own difficulties when Caroline finds about Adam's past, including his unique health condition.