Timothy Hutton stars as Martin Ryan a crusading journalist and author who becomes hopelessly entangled in the dark and dangerous world of Mafia hardmen corrupt film moguls whores strippers and vicious killers. With shades of Get Shorty and Goodfellas Ryan's big break comes when his Mafioso novel is chosen to be turned into a Hollywood movie. Heading for fame and fortune in Los Angeles Ryan's accompanied by two very different friends an ex-wiseguy enforcer desperate to escape being 'whacked' by his own side (Joe Pantoliano) and a beautiful but troubled stripper (Michelle Burke) yearning to abandon her seedy and tragic past.