The situation itself isn’t far-fetched. Gere plays a surgeon whose conscience is plagued by the death of a patient and he has come to the remote town in an effort to placate the aggrieved husband who is suing him. (Scott Glenn gives a restrained, moving performance as the widower.) Lane as Adrienne is tending the small hotel owned by her friend Jean (Viola Davis), seizing the opportunity to get away for a much-needed break from her children and the unwelcome aggressive effort of her estranged husband Jack (Christopher Meloni) to get back together with her after having ditched her for another woman.

Paul turns out to be the only guest, and love blossoms quickly, with each finding strength in the other as the second-chance-in-life possibilities loom. What subsequently happens is not far-fetched (a friend of mind had a similar experience). But it is the dialogue throughout that doesn’t ring very true. Also, the whole episode with Adreinne’s hostile teenage daughter, who has to be won over and gain some understanding, seems contrived.

But getting back to basics, Lane is such an accomplished actress and so appealing, that it is a pleasure to see her, and she makes the character believable. Gere is also in excellent form, and one can enjoy watching them rise above the material with which they have to work.