The privileged son of a wealthy California grape grower struggles with his family values as he must infiltrate the farm worker's union movement of 1965 to track down the man who murdered his sister, only to find that justice is not always blind, and the truth never this painful. 

SYNOPSIS:

It is 1965 California's Central Valley. COY LEE, the young son of a wealthy grape grower, learns that farm workers will be picketing the grower's annual gala, and that his sister DONNA, who is dating a Mexican union organizer, is going to be among the protesters. Infuriated, Coy persuades her to stay home "away from the Mexicans" but upon returning from the party that night, the family finds that Donna had been murdered. Seeking justice, Coy heads out to join the union hoping to find EDDIE VELLO, Donna's boyfriend, and by now the prime suspect of his sister's death.

Meanwhile, Coy's best friend ROBBIE ships off to Vietnam, devastating his mother SUZETTE, who secretly volunteers to finance Coy's hunt for Vello hoping for a quick capture and conviction. She also provides him with a gun. On his way to join the farm movement, Coy meets union activist JOSIE RESENDEZ, who immediately dislikes Robbie for being a grower. Protected by his peers, Vello continues his organizing activities while staying one step ahead of Coy who soon realizes that to get to him he must first gain Josie's trust. As union activity heats up in the fields, Coy sees first hand how the farm hands are treated, and realizes the growers twist the truth and the law to defend their interests at the expense of justice. Coy now begins to side with the farm worker's movement, which by now is gathering momentum. The growers counterattack with threats and intimidation, and try to kidnap Josie's daughter. By now, Coy firmly on the worker's side, steps in to protect Josie and her family from the growers. As they get to know each other, Coy eventually falls for Josie who has developed a soft spot for him as well.

The battle for Coy's heart heats up between Suzette and Josie, and Coy finds out Suzette is trying to cover for her son who she fears might have killed Donna. By now, Josie has learned to trust Coy and sets up a meeting with Vello. They meet at the old union hall and a fight ensues ending with Coy holding Vello at gunpoint. A discussion develops while outside, a crowd of growers and anti union supporters has gathered to lynch Vello. One of them shoots into the building aiming for Vello hitting Coy in the shoulder instead. Coy exits with gun in hand aimed at the crowd. He now knows who killed Donna. It was his dad, who had gone back to the house and caught Vello and Donna in bed, killing her in a rage not accepting that she was having a relationship with a Mexican. The cops are left with no alternative but to arrest the father. Coy's life is shattered.

To rebuild his life, and evade the draft, Coy moves to San Francisco and signs up at UC Berkeley. Josie hasn't given up on him yet. She tracks him down and some time later shows up at his door where they agree to pick up where they had left off and reboot their relationship.