When their son returns back from boarding school, his Viennese father and French mother argue over what’s best for their son, who feels hopelessly different from all of the American teenagers in New York City. Unexpectedly, the argument reaches a deadly conclusion.

A witty high school student experiences daily name-calling, insults, and bullying by his peers. He resolves to defy everyone who undermines him by beating the high jump state record at his school's track meet.