Jeremy Irons as a history teacher in Pittsburgh, whose dark, turbulent memories motivate his classroom lectures. Ethan Hawke. Mary: Sinead Cusack. Scott: John Heard. Judy: Cara Buono. Young Tom: Grant Warnock. Young Mary: Lena Heady. Crick: David Morrissey. Based on Graham Swift's novel. Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal.