A cantankerous widower (Garner) who is virtually living the life of a recluse is forced to rejoin his community when his Godchild (Skaggs) gets in trouble and a childhood friend (Cobbs), a black tenant farmer, refuses to belatedly accept a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in World War II.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 James GarnerAlbert Sidney Finch | Albert Sidney Finch |
 Judith IveyTerry Novis | Terry Novis |
 Ruby DeeRowena | Rowena |
 Bill CobbsGee Pennywell | Gee Pennywell |
 Laurence FishburneMichael Waring, DOD Man | Michael Waring, DOD Man |
 Jo AndersonLoreen Wendell | Loreen Wendell |
| NNorm SkaggsBilly Wendell | Billy Wendell |
| WWallace WilkinsonJudge Wesley | Judge Wesley |
| JJonathan PeckYoung Gee | Young Gee |
 Ric ReitzYoung Albert | Young Albert |
| JJeff Young LewisImposter Lieutenant | Imposter Lieutenant |
| DDwionne DickersonFritzie | Fritzie |
| SStephen RollinsPrivate Lester | Private Lester |