Based on a novel by Colleen McCullough (The Thornbirds), Tim stars a 22-year-old Mel Gibson in his third screen role ever. Gibson plays Tim, a handsome, simple young handyman hired to do yard-work for Mary (three-time Academy Award Nominee and Twin Peaks star Piper Laurie), a lonely, middle-aged career woman. As the relationship deepens into romantic love, Tim's older sister Dawn (Deborah Kennedy) resents Mary's intrusion into their lives.