Rusty Dennis (Cher) is the mother of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz), a seriously disfigured, but extremely intelligent and emotionally warm teenager. Rusty is a no-nonsense mother whose wild lifestyle is often at odds with her tenderness and protectiveness towards Rocky. However, she is extremely determined that Rocky be given the same chances and happiness that everyone else takes for granted. Rocky overcomes pain, loneliness and prejudice to become a role model to his classmates and teachers alike, and even experiences his first love (Laura Dern) at a sleep away camp for blind children.