Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man

Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man 1991

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Plot Summary


In Texas, a man stumbles across a news report about a dangerous new designer drug known as Crystal Dream, which is highly addictive and is applied by rubbing small amounts into the eyes. Leaving behind a woman he had been living with, he embarks on a journey across the American Southwest, steering clear of major highways and sticking to a route that parallels the Mexican border. Upon reaching Los Angeles, he stops at a gas station convenience store for cigarettes, only to find the place being robbed. Unfazed, he attempts to complete his purchase, but when a robber threatens him, he swiftly disarms and physically takes down the thug and his accomplices with ease. When asked by the cashier for his name, he casually replies, “Harley Davidson,” before departing the store with a stolen Desert Eagle pistol.

Later, Harley makes his way to a bar where he finds his best friend, The Marlboro Man, engaged in an intense pool game against a large opponent. Following Marlboro’s victory, a conflict erupts when the vanquished contender accuses him of cheating. Once the dust settles, Harley and Marlboro return to their old watering hole, the Rock N’ Roll Bar & Grille, only to discover that Burbank has transformed into a sprawling international airport. Inside, they reconnect with old friends still running scams, including their towering buddy, Jack Daniels, who’s been taking falls in arm-wrestling matches to make enough cash to help the bar’s aging proprietor, known simply as “Old Man.” Despite being still in command, the bar faces foreclosure from the Great Trust Bank, which intends to erect a skyscraper on the property.

As they reminisce, tensions flare when Jack learns of Harley’s past affair with his now-wife, Lulu, a singer at the bar. In their quest to save the beloved establishment, Harley and Marlboro rally their friends to execute a heist on the Great Trust armored car for the necessary funds.

The following day, the crew skillfully orchestrates a series of construction detours, leading the armored vehicle to a secluded street. Here, they overpower the drivers and cash in on numerous bags they load into a waiting pickup truck concealed within a sewer line. As they make their escape, they are warned they are in deep trouble, just moments before a black limousine pulls up. Out steps a team of assassins clad in leather, who unleash a torrential wave of gunfire. Undeterred, Jack rides in on his motorcycle, igniting a trail of gasoline leading to them, but the assailants evade the explosion and continue their pursuit. The gang narrowly manages to escape with their haul, only to discover that the bags are filled with the Crystal Dream narcotic rather than cash.

The leader of the assassins, Alexander, meets with Chance Wilder, the CEO of the Great Trust Bank, who expresses anger at the theft of his product and orders Alexander to track down the thieves and retrieve the drugs. That evening, after a reckless night of driving leads to a run-in with a motorcycle cop—who turns out to be his former lover Virginia—Marlboro spends an audacious night with her, but discovers she is engaged. Meanwhile, Harley joins Virginia for breakfast, where they discuss the perils of Crystal Dream; she warns him of its addictive nature and dire consequences.

Back at Virginia’s place, Marlboro spends his time fuming over her engagement and decides to steal her fiancé’s Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Determined, Harley and Marlboro confront Wilder over the phone, demanding $2.5 million for the narcotics they pilfered, plus an additional dollar for their running bet. Wilder agrees to meet them that night in an airplane graveyard for the exchange. The swap goes smoothly until Alexander and his crew turn the tables on them, leading to an ambush.

As chaos ensues, they take refuge in the bar’s back room, only to be attacked by Alexander’s crew. The duo barely escapes the ensuing carnage, with their allies being gunned down. In a bid to evade Alexander and his men, they flee to a nearby airport, hide in a cargo plane’s baggage compartment, but later find themselves cornered in Las Vegas. There, they check into a lavish hotel, only for Alexander to track them down. They make an audacious leap from the hotel rooftop into the pool below, all while discovering that their pursuer installed a tracking device hidden within Alexander’s coin.

In an attempt to reconnect, Marlboro abandons Harley after a heartfelt exchange about honoring their deceased friends. Harley ultimately decides to stick together, reactivating the tracker for Alexander to follow back to the graveyard. Alexander manages to corner them, initiating a fierce gunfight, where Marlboro showcases his skill by dispatching several of Alexander’s henchmen. However, when captured, Marlboro is held at gunpoint by Alexander. In a moment of fate, Harley unintentionally hits Marlboro while aiming at the antagonist, but ultimately finds the courage to shoot and kill Alexander.

They confront Wilder in his office, demanding the return of the stolen funds and insisting he amend the lease for the Old Man’s bar. Following a tense standoff—featuring a helicopter attack on Wilder’s men—the bar’s fate hangs in the balance. After a fierce showdown, Marlboro and Harley walk away. The duo parts ways at a rodeo, where Marlboro rides a bull, while Harley drives away with a stunning hitchhiker by his side, ready for their next adventure.

Timeline


Discovery of Crystal Dream

In Texas, the protagonist stumbles upon a news report about a new designer drug named Crystal Dream. The drug is notorious for its extreme addictive qualities and is applied by rubbing it into the eyes, indicating a new wave of substance abuse in society.

Texas

Leaving his past behind

Leaving behind a woman he had been living with, he sets off on a journey. His route takes him across the American Southwest, choosing to stay away from major highways to avoid drawing attention.

American Southwest

Confrontation at the convenience store

Upon reaching Los Angeles, he stops at a gas station convenience store to buy cigarettes. As he attempts to make his purchase, the store is held up by a robber, but he manages to disarm and defeat the criminals with surprising ease.

Los Angeles

Meeting The Marlboro Man

After his brush with danger, Harley finds his best friend, The Marlboro Man, at a bar. Their reunion leads to an underground pool game, which results in a confrontation due to an accusation of cheating against Marlboro.

Bar

Old Friends and New Challenges

Harley and Marlboro reconnect at the Rock N' Roll Bar & Grille. Inside, they meet old friends, including Jack Daniels, who reveals that the bar is on the brink of foreclosure due to pressure from the Great Trust Bank.

Rock N' Roll Bar & Grille

Rallying for the Bar

Determined to save their beloved bar, Harley and Marlboro gather their friends to plan a heist on the Great Trust armored car. Their goal is to acquire enough funds to secure the bar's future.

Executing the Heist

The crew puts together a plan to ambush the armored vehicle by orchestrating construction detours. Their plan works, and they successfully overpower the drivers before loading bags of cash into their getaway vehicle.

Secluded street

Ambushed by Assassins

As they make their escape, the gang is confronted by a black limousine filled with assassins. A high-stakes gunfight ensues, but they manage to escape with their haul, only to realize they stole bags of Crystal Dream instead of cash.

The Great Trust CEO's Fury

Alexander, the leader of the assassins, meets with Chance Wilder, the CEO of the Great Trust Bank. Wilder threatens to reclaim the stolen drugs and instructs Alexander to track down the thieves responsible for the theft.

A Reckless Encounter

Marlboro has a chance encounter with his former lover, Virginia, who warns him about the dangers of Crystal Dream. They spend the night together, only for Marlboro to discover she is engaged, causing him distress.

Virginia's place

Negotiating for Their Lives

Harley and Marlboro decide to contact Wilder, demanding a ransom of $2.5 million for the drugs they acquired. They agree to meet for an exchange at an airplane graveyard, planning to negotiate their way out of peril.

Airplane graveyard

The Ambush

During the exchange at the airplane graveyard, things take a sudden turn for the worse as Alexander’s crew ambushes them. The ensuing chaos forces Harley and Marlboro to retreat for their lives amidst a violent shootout.

Airplane graveyard

Hiding in the Airport

In a bid to escape, Harley and Marlboro hide in a cargo plane’s baggage compartment. Their hiding spot buys them time, but they later find themselves tracked down in Las Vegas, leading to a thrilling escape sequence.

Las Vegas

Final Confrontation

Upon being cornered by Alexander, a climactic gunfight erupts. Marlboro showcases his bravery by taking out several of Alexander's men, but it becomes clear that they're fighting for their lives against a superior force.

Conclusion and Reflection

After a tense showdown, Harley and Marlboro confront Wilder at his office, demanding the return of their funds. The two friends part ways at a rodeo, each embarking on their own separate paths filled with new adventures ahead.

Rodeo

Characters


Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson is a rugged and resourceful protagonist who confronts challenges with a laid-back attitude. His impulsive nature often leads him into precarious situations, yet he remains fiercely loyal to his friends. Throughout the film, Harley grapples with his past relationships and the addictive lure of Crystal Dream, portraying a complex character torn between adventure and responsibility.

🚀 Adventurous 🤜 Protector 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Loyal

The Marlboro Man

The Marlboro Man is portrayed as a tough yet charismatic character, often engaging in daring feats and facing conflict head-on. Despite his bravado, he carries the weight of past mistakes and emotional turmoil, particularly in relation to his former lover. His friendship with Harley serves as a central pillar in the story, highlighting themes of loyalty and redemption.

🎱 Competitive 🧪 Troubled 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Loyal

Jack Daniels

Jack Daniels is a strong and towering figure among the group, known for his imposing physicality and a penchant for scams. His commitment to helping the aging proprietor of the bar reflects his loyalty and sense of duty, yet he grapples with feelings of betrayal due to Harley's past affair with his wife. Jack adds a layer of tension and depth to the group dynamic.

💪 Strong 🕵️‍♂️ Deceptive 🤜 Loyal

Setting


Time period

The film is set in a contemporary era, reflecting the late 20th century's societal issues such as drug addiction and urban decay. During this time, anti-drug campaigns were prevalent, highlighting problems associated with new designer drugs like Crystal Dream. The characters' struggles and the bar's foreclosure symbolize the challenges faced by independent businesses amidst corporate expansion.

Location

Texas, American Southwest, Mexican border, Los Angeles, Burbank, Rock N' Roll Bar & Grille, Las Vegas, airplane graveyard

The movie takes place across various locations, beginning in Texas, known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. The journey leads to the American Southwest, characterized by its rugged beauty and proximity to the Mexican border. Key scenes unfold in Los Angeles and Burbank, showcasing urban change, while the Rock N' Roll Bar & Grille serves as a nostalgic gathering spot for the characters. The climax occurs in Las Vegas, known for its extravagant entertainment and high-stakes atmosphere.

🗺️ Locations 🌆 Urban 🌄 Desert

Themes


💊

Addiction

Addiction plays a central role in the narrative, primarily around the designer drug Crystal Dream. The film explores the destructive nature of addiction, particularly how it impacts relationships and aspirations. Characters confront the consequences of their choices, which are exacerbated by addiction to this compelling but dangerous substance.

🤠

Friendship

The theme of friendship is embodied in the bond between Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. Their loyalty and camaraderie drive them to confront challenges together, showcasing how friendship can serve as a source of strength in turbulent times. However, their relationship is also tested by personal conflicts and past grievances.

🏦

Corruption

Corruption is evident in the dealings with the Great Trust Bank and its CEO, Chance Wilder. The film critiques the greed and moral decay in pursuit of profit, as the characters find themselves entangled in a heist to save a beloved bar. This theme reflects broader societal issues related to corporate power and exploitation.

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