City Slickers

Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and his closest companions, Phil Berquist (Daniel Stern) and Ed Furillo (Bruno Kirby), are smack in the midst of a collective mid-life crisis, their 30s rapidly disappearing into the rearview mirror. Ed's penchant for conjuring up thrill-seeking escapades is a constant source of fascination for Mitch, whose own adventurous spirit has begun to wane. However, Mitch's enthusiasm is short-lived, as an ill-fated trip to Pamplona, Spain, ends with an embarrassing doctor's visit that leaves him feeling more than a little humbled.

As the days pass, Mitch awakens to the harsh reality of his 39th birthday, his mother's nostalgic reminiscence about his own arrival into this world serving as a poignant reminder that time is indeed fleeting. The morning's tranquility is shattered when Mitch arrives at work, only to be met with a chorus of disapproval regarding his latest radio show efforts, which are deemed subpar by his manager. To make matters worse, Mitch must then depart for Career Day, where he's forced to confront the harsh truth that his once-thriving career has lost its luster.

Later that evening, Mitch's wife Barbara (Patricia Wettig) hosts a birthday celebration, and Phil and Ed arrive with their respective spouses in tow. However, the festivities are quickly dampened by the toxic atmosphere surrounding Phil's marriage to Arlene (Karla Tamburrelli), whose treatment of her husband is nothing short of appalling. Meanwhile, Ed's girlfriend Kim (Walker Brandt) steals the spotlight as a stunning lingerie model barely out of her teenage years.

As the evening wears on, Mitch's friends present him with a birthday gift: a 2-week cattle drive in the American southwest, which they insist he join them for. Initially thrilled by the prospect, Mitch ultimately declines, citing his promise to take his family to visit his wife's parents in Florida. Little do they know, however, that their friend Phil is harboring a deep, dark secret – one that will shatter the very fabric of their friendship and bring the party to a grinding halt.

The night's revelry is abruptly interrupted by Nancy (Yeardley Smith), a coworker of Phil's who reveals she's missed her period. As the truth slowly begins to unravel, it becomes clear that Phil has been carrying on an illicit affair, and his wife Arlene is not about to take the news lying down. The ensuing shouting match between the estranged couple brings the party to a screeching halt, leaving Mitch and their friends stunned and wondering how things could have gone so horribly awry.

As the night wears on, Barbara's concerns for Mitch's well-being only intensify, sensing the turmoil brewing beneath his surface. She implores him to take a chance on a cattle drive with their friends Phil and Ed, hoping the rugged adventure will help him find a new sense of purpose and redirect his restless energy away from potentially destructive impulses.

Heeding her advice, the trio embarks on the arduous journey, accompanied by an eclectic group of travelers including Ben and Steve Jessup, two dentists, Ira and Barry Shalowitz, ice cream entrepreneurs, and Bonnie Rayburn, a woman seeking a fresh start after her husband's departure. As they prepare for the grueling drive, Mitch, Phil, and Ed don ranch attire, practicing their lassoing and horseback riding skills.

However, tensions simmer just below the surface as they encounter T.R. and Jeff, two rough-riding ranch hands who make unwarranted advances towards Bonnie. Mitch intervenes to defuse the situation, but when the ranchers refuse to back down, Phil and Ed stand firmly by his side. Just as a physical confrontation seems inevitable, an enigmatic cowboy emerges from nowhere, expertly lassoing one of the offending party to a fence rail and demanding an apology for Bonnie's sake.

The would-be bully refuses, prompting the cowboy to hurl a massive Bowie knife mere inches from the man's groin. The sudden display of force yields the desired result – the rancher apologizes profusely, and the cowboy reminds them to curtail their drinking immediately. As night falls, the group gathers around a crackling campfire, exchanging hushed whispers about the mysterious figure who has taken charge. Mitch, however, is convinced that Curly (Jack Palance), the trail boss, is nothing short of a madman – just as Curly materializes behind him, his towering presence and menacing tone sending shivers down Mitch's spine.

Curly's low-pitched warning – "I crap bigger n' you" – leaves Mitch feeling both intimidated and perplexed by this imposing figure, whose unyielding authority and unnerving demeanor seem to brook no opposition.

As the group ventures forth to drive their cattle across the vast expanse of the plains, a few days later, Mitch, Ed, and Phil engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the intricacies of life and relationships. The tranquility of the morning is suddenly shattered when Mitch fires up his battery-operated coffee grinder, inadvertently spooking the herd and sending them thundering off into the distance. With orders to press on, Curly dispatches TR and Jeff to continue the drive, leaving Mitch by his side as they set out to recover the scattered cattle.

As the sun begins to set, Mitch and Curly finally manage to round up the stragglers, but their task is far from over. They find themselves spending the night under the starry sky, with Mitch's harmonica playing filling the air. Initially intimidated by Curly's knife-stroking display, Mitch musters the courage to confront his companion about his intentions, only to be met with a softening of Curly's countenance as they bond over their shared love of music. As they share stories and philosophies, Curly begins to show a newfound respect for Mitch, ultimately revealing that the secret to life is not one easily grasped, but rather something each individual must discover for themselves.

Just before rejoining the herd, one of the cows goes into labor, prompting Mitch to reluctantly assist with the birth. As he pulls the calf from its mother's womb, Mitch names their new addition Norman, his heart swelling with pride. However, Curly's sudden decision to put down the suffering cow, which was on the brink of death, leaves Mitch reeling.

Upon rejoining the group, Mitch takes it upon himself to share a different side of Curly with the others, urging them to engage in conversation with their once-feared companion. But when they finally approach him, they find that Curly has passed away while watching over the herd. The group pays its respects as he is laid to rest on the trail, before T.R. and Jeff take up the reins, marking the end of an era.

As the three men - Mitch (played by), Phil (played by), and Ed - continue their journey, they find themselves sharing intimate moments of introspection. Each individual has a unique perspective on the happiest and most trying times in their lives. For Mitch, the memory of his father taking him to Yankee Stadium for the first time still radiates with joy. On the other hand, he recalls a particularly harrowing moment when it seemed as though his wife might be afflicted with breast cancer - only to discover she was perfectly fine. Phil, surprisingly, counts his wedding day as the happiest, with every subsequent day since then being a tie for the worst. Ed, meanwhile, reflects on the day his father finally left their family, bringing an end to his mother's suffering at the hands of her unfaithful spouse - a moment he claims was both liberating and devastating.

As fate would have it, Cookie (played by), the camp cook, becomes inebriated and embarks on a destructive path, leaving the chuck wagon in ruins and two horses dead. His subsequent injuries leave him with broken legs, and the group faces the daunting task of scavenging for food. Later that evening, T.R. and Jeff get drunk, recklessly firing empty bottles into the air and threatening to harm Norman, the calf. This reckless behavior sparks an altercation, during which Phil teeters on the edge of violence before regaining control and revealing his fear of guns. He explains that as the manager of a general store, he understands the importance of knowing how to handle firearms in case of a robbery.

With T.R. and Jeff abandoning the group, Mitch volunteers to lead the herd across the river, recalling Curly's warning that they would eventually encounter this natural obstacle before arriving at their destination - the valley where the trail ends and the ranch awaits. The Jessups, being dentists-turned-doctors, offer to transport Cookie ahead to the end of the trail, given their expertise in medical matters. Phil and Ed remain behind to support Mitch, successfully guiding the herd to the river's edge. However, Norman gets swept away by the current, prompting Mitch to overcome his ineptitude at roping a cow and lasso the calf - only to fall into the water himself.

Phil and Ed spring into action, rescuing Mitch and each other before finally reaching the other side of the river and arriving at their destination.

As the ranch owner beams with pride at the boys' remarkable achievement, she agrees to refund their investment in the experience as a token of appreciation. When one of them inquires about the fate of the cattle, now that their duties have been fulfilled, the ranch owner reveals a surprising truth: the herd will be headed straight for the market. Mitch, Phil, and Ed are taken aback by this news, with Mitch expressing dismay at the thought of betraying the cows' trust. Ed tries to reassure him, pointing out that the cattle had no concept of their actions during the drive and simply followed orders. However, Mitch's unease only grows as he visits the herd, where Norman, the calf whose life he owes, approaches him with a sense of gratitude. This encounter prompts Mitch to make a profound decision.

As their final day on the ranch draws to a close, the trio reflects on the paths they will take going forward. Phil, grappling with the impending dissolution of his marriage, decides to start anew, embracing a fresh chapter in his life. Ed, meanwhile, chooses to fulfill his girlfriend's desire for children. Mitch, however, has been pondering the wisdom of Curly's enigmatic phrase, "one thing," and believes he has finally deciphered its meaning - that what is most important can vary greatly from person to person.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Mitch returns home to his family, eager to share in their joy. However, he surprises his wife by revealing that Norman the calf has accompanied him on the journey, destined for a safe haven at a local petting zoo. As the family and Norman (who Mitch assures his wife will soon find a new home) load into the family van, they embark on the next stage of their adventure together.