The Out-of-Towners 1999

Henry (Steve Martin) and Nancy Clark (Goldie Hawn), a seemingly tranquil Ohio couple celebrating 27 years of marriage, are about to embark on a journey that will test the very fabric of their relationship. As they prepare for Henry’s supposed relocation to New York for a “promising” job opportunity, Nancy is oblivious to her husband’s true circumstances - his job has been downsized, and he’s desperate to keep this secret from her. Meanwhile, Nancy is struggling with empty nest syndrome now that their last child, Alan (Oliver Hudson), has flown the coop.

In a sudden turn of events, Nancy decides to join Henry in New York, blindsiding him as they depart their quiet hometown of Twin Oaks, Ohio. The couple’s adventure takes an immediate turn for the worse as they face a series of misadventures that would daunt even the most seasoned travelers. Heavy fog forces their flight to circle Kennedy International Airport repeatedly, only to be rerouted to Boston’s Logan Airport, where they discover that their luggage - containing Henry’s ulcer medication and Nancy’s emergency funds - has been left behind.

As they rush to catch a train at South Station, they find themselves in a mad dash through the bustling streets. After missing the train, they opt for a car ride to New York, only to be thwarted by a malfunctioning heater that leaves them steaming in their own sweat. Nancy’s navigation skills prove woefully inadequate, leading them on a wild goose chase through Manhattan.

The couple’s frustration reaches new heights when Nancy takes the wheel and inadvertently drives into a seafood packing facility, racking up a $2200 damage bill. As they attempt to make their way to their hotel, they’re mugged by an Andrew Lloyd Webber lookalike who poses as a desperate performer in need of financial assistance.

In a stroke of good fortune, Henry has stashed his credit card in his sock, allowing them to check into the Grand Mark Hotel and meet the night duty manager, Mr. Mersault (John Cleese). However, their joy is short-lived, as Henry discovers that his credit card has been maxed out. The revelation sparks a deeper concern when he learns that Nancy had given one of his cards to their daughter Susan, who has abandoned her medical studies to pursue an acting career - and carelessly discarded $50,000 in tuition fees in the process.

As the dust settles on this chaotic day, Henry and Nancy are left grappling with the consequences of their decisions and the uncertain future that lies ahead.

As the sun dipped below the Manhattan skyline, Henry (actor’s name) and Nancy found themselves at an impasse. With no funds to their names, they were unceremoniously evicted from their temporary abode, forced to meander to Susan’s apartment in search of solace. However, their arrival coincided with her departure, leaving the duo to face the unforgiving streets alone. Henry’s attempt to pilfer an apple only added to their woes, as they were subsequently beset by a pack of snarling canines, set upon them by the vigilant neighbors.

Seeking refuge from the chaos, they stumbled upon a nearby church, where the aroma of sustenance wafted through the air. But little did they know, this haven was actually a meeting ground for a sexual self-help group. As the congregation welcomed them with open arms, Nancy and Henry were prodded to participate in exchange for a hot meal. With their dignity already bruised, Nancy confided that they’d gone two long months without intimacy, while Henry revealed his own struggles with tension, stemming from a recent firing. The weight of their circumstances seemed too much to bear.

As night began to fall, the couple retreated to the hotel’s bar, where they devoured trail mix and pondered their next move. It was here that they crossed paths with Greg (Mark McKinney), a charming LA transplant, who would soon be departing for his own work commitments. Nancy’s flirtations left Henry seething in the bathroom, but she emerged victorious, securing from Greg a key to their room.

With Greg’s departure, Nancy and Henry indulged in an extravagant feast, only for him to return unexpectedly, forcing Henry to take cover. The unexpected visitor discovered Henry’s hiding spot and threatened to summon the authorities. In a desperate bid to escape, the couple tumbled onto the balcony, landing with a thud on the floor below, where they stumbled upon none other than Mr. Mersault, dressed in a woman’s attire.

In the ensuing chaos, they inadvertently brought down the hotel’s electronic facade, plunging the entire establishment into darkness. Nancy pilfered some cash from the room and they made their getaway, commandeering a cab that would soon reveal itself to be part of a daring heist. As Henry refused to budge, the cabbie grew increasingly agitated, until the couple was forced to abandon ship, leaping out into the midst of Central Park as the sun dipped below the horizon.

As tensions between Henry and Nancy reached a boiling point, their marriage teetered on the brink of collapse. The couple’s inability to find common ground sparked a heated argument, culminating in a stark realization: they were drifting apart at an alarming rate, with divorce looming large on the horizon. However, in a poignant display of nostalgia, Henry and Nancy revisited the carefree days of their youth, rekindling their passion in a most unconventional setting - a sun-drenched park, where the sounds of laughter and lovemaking mingled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

But their romantic tryst was short-lived, as the sudden illumination of nearby lights signaled the commencement of an “enlightened” city campaign. Henry and Nancy’s illicit encounter was interrupted by guards, who chased them down with a zeal reminiscent of a moral crusade. Seeking refuge in an abandoned cabin, they stumbled into a new reality, one that would test their love to its very limits.

Henry’s troubles only mounted when he was hauled off to the local authorities for an unfortunate incident involving public exposure. As Nancy frantically scrambled to raise bail money, she turned to Mersault, the enigmatic hotel manager, who possessed information that could either help or harm her husband’s situation. With Henry languishing in a cell, Nancy’s desperation reached new heights as she coaxed him into accepting an unexpected gift - a chance to redeem himself through a high-stakes job interview.

As Henry stumbled back onto the hotel scene, his mind reeling from a cocktail of delirium and drugs, he managed to arrive at the meeting room with mere minutes to spare. However, his tardiness was compounded by the revelation that the conference had been rescheduled for 9:00 AM, leaving him crestfallen and defeated.

But Nancy refused to let her husband give up, urging him to share their harrowing tale of woe and struggle to a sympathetic ear - that of the receptionist. Henry’s impassioned plea resonated deeply with the executive, Ms. Tobin, who was preparing for a client meeting before embarking on a week-long sojourn to London. In a stunning turn of events, Henry’s unorthodox approach earned him a spot at the table, as he proposed a revolutionary new tagline - “Only in New York” - for the city’s latest marketing campaign.

As the couple’s fortunes began to shift, Henry hired Nancy as his first employee on his newly formed creative team. With their future suddenly looking brighter than ever before, they decided to stay in New York and indulge in the vibrant cultural landscape that surrounded them, including a night out at the theater to watch Susan perform in all her glory.