LouAnne, a former US marine, takes on a new role as a teacher at a high school in California. However, her students, who are mostly Latino and black and come from a disadvantaged and racially divided community, prove to be resistant towards her. The director of the film, John N. Smith, collaborates with writers LouAnne Johnson and Ron Bass, while the main stars include Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, and Courtney B. Vance.