In 1970 Mississippi, the Simmons family begins their summer on a high note. The farther, Stephen, is a Vietnam vet starting a new job, and his son Stu and daughter Lidia join with their friends to build the ultimate treehouse. Times are tough, however, and Stephen faces daunting obstacles in his quest to fulfill a secret dream for his family. Stu and Lidia face their own challenge when they must defend their treehouse against a family of vicious bullies. By summer's end, they will gain a new respect for their father's beliefs of peace and understanding as they discover startling insights into themselves and the world around them. Starring Elijah Wood and Kevin Costner. (1994) Running time: 126 minutes.