That's What I Am

A coming-of-age story set in 1965 that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior-high peers. Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley, aka "Big G" (Alexander Walters), on a critical term project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body, and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy learns that Mr. Simon had a good reason to team up those two boys. As the story unfolds, Mr. Simon finds himself the target of a malicious rumor after Principal Kelner (Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate whom he thinks has "cooties." As Andy watches, "Big G" fearlessly confronts the bully, triggering a series of events which change the lives of both lads--and their teacher--forever. Much to Andy's surprise, "Big G" is a brilliant, kind, tolerant, decent human being who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered.