Eric Gibb (Jay Underwood) is an autistic boy living with his alcoholic uncle Hugo Gibb (Fred Gwynne) after his parents death. Local social workers are concerned for his safety because he is poorly supervised by his uncle and Eric attempts to fly. Millie Michaelson (Lucy Deakins) moves next door to Eric, and watches as he stands on the roof or on windowsills with his arms outstretched, and after several events, she herself can almost believe he is capable of flight. Unfortunately, when Eric's uncle is caught too drunk to maintain Eric, Eric is taken to an institution where he is kept heavily medicated and restrained. Millie feels she must rescue Eric to give him the freedom that he has brought to those around him.