Based on a true story, In 1974, John Talia Jr. (Trevor Morgan) meets an older painter named Nicoli Seroff (Armin Mueller-Stahl) who is a genius but has slipped into alcoholism after feeling that his life has no meaning. Talia struggles with his father who is homophobic and doesn't understand him. The two forge a bond that will inspire Talia and jump start Seroff both to work again and find worth in himself. Through each other’s perspective, both the boy and the man learn valuable lessons.