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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Rat (2001). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Donald Sinclair, the quirky and extravagant proprietor of The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, concocts an exhilarating new game to captivate the high-rolling clientele frequenting his luxurious establishment. He places six unique tokens within the casino’s slot machines, and those fortunate enough to win these tokens are summoned together for an extraordinary revelation: $2 million in cold, hard cash is hidden inside a locker located at a train station in Silver City, New Mexico. They soon learn that they are about to embark on an outrageous, no-holds-barred race to secure the money for themselves. Each winner is provided with a key, poised to unlock the coveted locker, setting them on a thrilling journey fraught with unpredictable challenges.

What they remain blissfully unaware of is that Sinclair’s affluent patrons are actively placing bets on which contestant will emerge victorious in this wild competition. Among the motley crew of racers are the cunning twin brothers, Duane and Blaine Cody, the ambitious businesswoman Merrill Jennings, her estranged mother Vera, the disgraced football referee Owen Templeton, the determined Pear family led by the opportunistic father Randy, the eccentric Italian tourist Enrico Pollini, and the no-nonsense attorney Nick Schaffer.

The chaotic escapades commence as Duane and Blaine, in a brazen act, wreck an airport radar using their pickup truck. In a stroke of cunning, they decide to part ways, hoping that duplicating their key will give them an edge in the race. However, their plan unravels when a locksmith overhears them and makes off with their creation. In a comedic chase, the brothers confront the locksmith, who attempts to abscond in a hot air balloon, leading to a bizarre scene where the brothers reclaim their key while leaving the locksmith precariously suspended, sharing company with a cow. Their misadventures continue as they hijack a monster truck after being distracted by a woman adorned with a myriad of piercings.

Meanwhile, Merrill and Vera face their own challenges when a manic squirrel owner causes them to lose their car. Undeterred, they commandeer a rocket-powered vehicle, speeding across the arid desert until fuel depletion forces them to make a fantastical detour onto a bus filled with mental patients, which inadvertently takes them straight into Silver City.

Owen, stranded in the middle of the desert by an irate cab driver, stumbles upon a coach filled with women headed to an I Love Lucy convention. Seizing the opportunity, he disguises himself as the driver, leading to a series of comedic blunders that culminate in the coach crashing due to the chaos instigated by the hot air balloon incident. Much to his dismay, Owen eventually reveals his true identity, prompting him to make a hasty escape from the disappointed passengers.

As for the Pear family, their quest takes an unusual turn when they visit an unsettling museum dedicated to Nazi figure Klaus Barbie. After their car is sabotaged by the scheming Codys, they seize the chance to hijack Adolf Hitler’s distinguished Mercedes-Benz. Their escapade takes a dangerous twist when Randy inadvertently offends a biker gang, resulting in a wild chase that leads to a disastrous crash into a gathering of World War II veterans, leaving Randy with injuries that comically alter his speech.

Initially reluctant to participate, Nick finds his motivation rekindled upon encountering helicopter pilot Tracy Faucet, who offers him a lift to Silver City. Their journey is fraught with tension as they spot Tracy’s boyfriend with an ex-girlfriend, igniting an uncontrollable rage that prompts Tracy to chase him in the helicopter until they run out of fuel. Forced to abscond with his truck, they proceed in a frantic bid to reach the destination.

Amid these untamed adventures, the narcoleptic Enrico Pollini finds himself asleep at the starting line. Awakening far behind in the race, he manages to hitch a ride with ambulance driver Zack Mallozzi, who is en route to deliver a heart to El Paso. In a comical turn of events, the heart escapes from its container, and Enrico inadvertently tosses it out of the window. The bewildered Zack contemplates a rather morbid solution, yet Enrico cleverly leaps aboard a train, narrowly escaping disaster as Zack revives the heart using an electric fence.

All the contestants eventually converge in Silver City, leading to a dramatic showdown. Enrico, arriving first, succumbs to exhaustion just as he nears the locker. Meanwhile, Sinclair’s assistant Mr. Grisham and call-girl Vicky attempt to get their hands on the prize, only to misplace it when the locksmith ties it to the balloon, causing a series of comical accidents. The unpredictable balloon adventure leads the contestants to a charity concert featuring Smash Mouth. In an unexpected twist, they are persuaded to donate their prize money to charity, with Nick ingeniously convincing Sinclair and the high-stakes gamblers to match the prize amount, turning what began as a ruthless race into a heartwarming act of generosity.

Timeline

Track the key events of Rat (2001) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Donald Sinclair's New Game

Donald Sinclair, the owner of The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, devises an unconventional game for high rollers. He hides $2 million in a locker in Silver City, New Mexico, and informs the winners of a competition to get there first.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Racers Gather

Sinclair's game attracts a motley crew of competitors including the scheming Cody twins, businesswoman Merrill Jennings, and football referee Owen Templeton. Each competitor receives a key that will unlock the treasure, kicking off a no-holds-barred race to claim the hidden money.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino

The Cody Twins' Scheme

Duane and Blaine Cody, eager to win, destroy an airport radar and hatch a plan to replicate their key. Their scheme goes awry when a locksmith overhears them and escapes, leading to a wild chase involving a hot air balloon.

Airport

The Rocket Car Adventure

Merrill and Vera, facing car trouble due to a squirrel incident, resort to stealing a rocket car. Their adventure takes a twist when the rocket runs out of fuel and they stumble into a bus full of mental patients headed to Silver City.

Desert

Owen's Disguise

After being abandoned by a revenge-seeking cab driver, Owen Templeton tricks a bus full of women en route to an I Love Lucy convention by disguising himself as their driver. When the bus crashes into the chaos created by the balloon, Owen must flee.

Desert Road

The Pear Family's Biker Trouble

The Pear family steals Adolf Hitler's car from a museum only to insult a biker gang, leading to a violent confrontation. The chaos results in a crash into a gathering of World War II veterans, causing further havoc for Randy and his family.

Museum

Nick's Reluctance and Flight

Initially hesitant to join the race, attorney Nick Schaffer changes his mind after meeting helicopter pilot Tracy Faucet. Their tumultuous journey leads to stolen transport and an escalating confrontation with Tracy's ex-boyfriend.

Nevada

Enrico's Sleepy Start

Eccentric tourist Enrico Pollini oversleeps at the race's start but eventually catches a ride from ambulance driver Zack Mallozzi. Their journey takes a bizarre turn when a heart delivery goes awry, leading to an accidental ejection of the organ from the vehicle.

Ambulance

The Race to Silver City

The various racers converge in Silver City, where Enrico arrives at the train station first. Just as he reaches the locker, he falls asleep, setting the stage for an unexpected turn in the chase for the cash.

Silver City, New Mexico

The Money Bag Heist

Sinclair's assistant Mr. Grisham and call-girl Vicky seize the moment by stealing the bag of money. Their escape goes horribly wrong when the locksmith arrives, leading to a wild car crash that complicates their plans.

Silver City

The Charity Concert

As the racers pursue the lost money bag, the chase leads them to a charity concert hosted by Smash Mouth. In a twist of fate, they all come together to decide the fate of the cash, ultimately donating it to charity.

Silver City

Nick's Confrontation

In a final act of defiance, Nick confronts Sinclair and the bettors, compelling them to pay double the prize money as a condition of the charity donation. The race concludes with unexpected camaraderie among competitors.

Silver City

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Rat (2001) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Duane Cody (Pete Postlethwaite)

Duane is one half of the cunning Cody twin duo, characterized by his brazen and mischievous personality. In the race for money, he often resorts to outlandish schemes that entertain as much as they frustrate. His relationship with his brother reflects a blend of sibling rivalry and camaraderie that drives much of their comedic misadventures.

🤔 Clever 👫 Sibling Rivalry 🏎️ Mischief

Enrico Pollini (Imelda Staunton)

Enrico is portrayed as a quirky and narcoleptic character, often finding himself in bizarre situations as he navigates the race. His endearing disposition and unique traits make him a standout among the competitors. Despite his challenges, he exhibits resilience and ingenuity that ultimately have a positive impact on the race's outcome.

😴 Narcoleptic 🎭 Quirky 🎉 Resilient

Setting

Uncover the settings of Rat (2001), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern society’s obsession with wealth and competition. The fast-paced antics and eccentric characters portray a playful yet frantic quest for monetary gain. As technology intersects with traditional elements, the story showcases the humorous lengths people go to in pursuit of fortune.

Location

Las Vegas, Silver City, New Mexico

Las Vegas is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and extravagant casinos, serving as the energetic backdrop for Donald Sinclair's wild game. In contrast, Silver City, New Mexico, is known for its historic charm and as the final destination where contestants race to claim hidden cash. The contrasting settings amplify the characters' chaotic journeys, highlighting both the glitz of casino life and the adventurous spirit of the open desert.

🏙️ City 🎰 Casino 🌄 Desert

Themes

Explore the core themes of Rat (2001). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💰

Greed

The relentless pursuit of money is the central theme, driving the characters to engage in outrageous and humorous antics. Each contestant, vying for the hidden $2 million, showcases how greed can lead to both comedic chaos and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, the story reveals how this motivation can be transformed into a more heartwarming outcome.

🤪

Chaos

The movie is defined by its chaotic structure, as contestants encounter a series of misadventures that escalate hilariously. From truck hijacking to disguises and outrageous vehicles, the unpredictable incidents reflect the unpredictable nature of competition. The theme of chaos is artfully woven into the narrative, emphasizing the absurdity of their race.

🤝

Generosity

In a surprising twist, the narrative culminates in a gesture of generosity as contestants opt to donate their winnings to charity. This theme serves as a counterbalance to the earlier drive for greed, illustrating how human kindness often prevails in unexpected circumstances. It highlights the notion that true victory lies not in wealth, but in community and compassion.

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