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Plot Summary


As the enchanting spirit of Christmas envelops New York City, two ex-convicts, Dave and Alvin Firpo, are unexpectedly paroled and placed under the guardianship of their savvy younger brother Bill, who runs a successful restaurant. Eager to reconcile with an old associate from their past, the brothers persuade Bill to take them to Paradise, Pennsylvania. Initially reluctant, Bill is drawn into their scheme, erroneously believing he has a connection to a crime from their shared history.

Upon arriving in Paradise, the trio’s eyes fall upon a local bank, where they see an opportunity amid its surprisingly lax security. Under the pretense of a robbery, Bill and Dave infiltrate the bank vault while Alvin creates a diversion outside, deftly taking hostage the bank president, Clifford Anderson, and his customers. With their hands on a hefty sum of $275,000, they attempt to flee from the scene.

However, their escape is thwarted when Alvin’s poor sense of direction leads them onto a slippery bridge. In a chaotic attempt to shake off pursuing police, they hitch a ride with a seemingly benevolent stranger, who turns out to be a relative of Bank President Anderson, unwittingly driving them straight into more trouble.

Meanwhile, Vic Mazzucci, the inmate who initially informed them of the bank’s vulnerabilities, grows furious at their shameless actions and breaks free from prison. Along with his loyal associate Caesar, he kidnaps Bill’s mother, Edna Firpo, demanding they return the stolen money or face severe consequences.

Driven by both desperation and resolve, Bill and Alvin pledge to rectify their misdeeds by returning the stolen cash, hoping to find closure from their tumultuous past. Unbeknownst to Bill, this decision sets him on a perilous journey, facing off against some of the most dangerous individuals in Paradise.

The danger escalates further when Bill seeks refuge with Vic and Caesar, who harbor a secret that will drastically change the course of events. In a twist of fate, Bill encounters his mother, hidden in the trunk of their vehicle, adding chaos to an already precarious situation.

A tense standoff ensues as Bill tries to negotiate with his captors, but hostility and violence quickly escalate. Just when all seems lost, Dave and Alvin arrive, providing critical assistance that allows Bill to escape from the grips of his aggressors. Following a dramatic return of the money to the bank—albeit triggering an alarm in the process—the brothers shift their focus to finding a secure place for the remnants of their ill-gotten gains.

Their attempt at redemption meets unforeseen obstacles from Ed and Clovis, two careless shopkeepers swept up in the Firpos’ prior escapades. Their frantic efforts to reclaim the cash lead to a frenzied chase, culminating in a confrontation with law enforcement.

As tensions rise, police face off against Vic and Caesar, who have taken multiple hostages. A gripping standoff unfolds, ultimately resulting in the downfall of these criminals. With Vic wounded and subdued, the remaining henchmen are quickly apprehended by authorities.

In the wake of this chaotic showdown, Bill must confront FBI agent Shaddus Peyser, tasked with unraveling the tangled deceit that has enveloped Paradise. As the complex truths begin to surface, it becomes evident that not every party involved has been entirely truthful. Bill’s choice to remain in Paradise opens the door to new prospects for him, while his brothers, accompanied by their mother, return to New York, ready to rebuild their lives and move on from the tribulations of Paradise.

Timeline


Christmas Spirit in New York City

During the festive season, the enchanting spirit of Christmas fills New York City. This joyful atmosphere sets a backdrop for the unexpected release of two ex-convicts, Dave and Alvin, from prison.

Christmas Season New York City

Guardianship of Bill

After being paroled, Dave and Alvin are placed under the guardianship of their younger brother Bill, who runs a restaurant. Initially skeptical of their intentions, Bill finds himself reluctantly involved in their plans.

Journey to Paradise, Pennsylvania

Eager to reconnect with their past, the brothers convince Bill to take them to Paradise, Pennsylvania. Bill is drawn into their scheme, mistakenly believing they have a connection to a past crime.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

Targeting the Local Bank

Upon their arrival in Paradise, the trio's eyes lock onto a local bank with lax security. They formulate a plan to break into the bank vault.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

The Bank Heist

Bill and Dave execute the bank heist while Alvin distracts the bank's customers and president, Clifford Anderson. They manage to steal a staggering $275,000, unaware of the trouble that lies ahead.

Bank in Paradise, Pennsylvania

Escape Gone Wrong

As they attempt to escape, Alvin’s poor sense of direction leads them onto a slippery bridge. They unwittingly hitch a ride with a stranger related to the bank president, complicating their getaway.

Slippery Bridge

Kidnapping of Bill's Mother

Vic Mazzucci, angered by the brothers' actions, escapes prison with his associate Caesar and kidnaps Bill's mother, Edna Firpo. They demand the stolen money be returned in exchange for her safety.

Pledge to Return the Money

Bill and Alvin make a desperate pledge to return the stolen cash, motivated by remorse and a wish for redemption. This decision leads them into further danger and complications.

Confrontation with Vic and Caesar

Bill seeks refuge with Vic and Caesar, only to discover his mother hidden in the trunk of their vehicle. This revelation triggers a tense standoff filled with escalating violence.

The Brothers to the Rescue

Just as the situation looks dire, Dave and Alvin arrive to assist Bill, enabling him to escape from the captors. Their timely intervention is crucial in ensuring Bill's safety.

Return of the Stolen Money

In a dramatic wave of events, the brothers attempt to return the stolen money to the bank. This action triggers an alarm, complicating their efforts for redemption.

Bank in Paradise, Pennsylvania

Chase with Law Enforcement

The brothers find themselves in a frantic chase with law enforcement as they strive to reclaim their cash amidst the chaos caused by the earlier heist. The pursuit adds tension to their already desperate situation.

Standoff with Hostages

As tensions rise in Paradise, police confront Vic and Caesar, who have taken hostages. A gripping standoff ensues, showcasing the dangerous game of cat and mouse unfolding.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

Capture of Vic and Associates

The standoff climaxes as police subdue Vic, wounding him, while other henchmen are quickly arrested. The chaotic struggle underscores the dangers the brothers faced throughout their ordeal.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

New Beginnings

In the aftermath, Bill finally confronts FBI agent Shaddus Peyser, who is uncovering the tangled web of deceit in Paradise. With unresolved truths, Bill’s choice to stay in Paradise paves the way for new opportunities.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

Characters


Dave (Nicolas Cage)

Dave is one of the ex-convict brothers, characterized by his wild ideas and impulsive nature. His eagerness to reconnect with the past often leads to chaotic situations, showcasing both his comical and reckless traits throughout the film.

🦸‍♂️ Hero 😂 Comedic 🔄 Rebellious

Alvin Firpo (Dana Carvey)

Alvin is the second ex-convict brother, depicted as well-meaning yet hapless with a poor sense of direction. His antics provide a lighthearted yet chaotic twist to their heist, often leading the group into funny yet precarious situations.

😅 Clumsy 😂 Comedic 🧭 Directionless

Bill (Richard B. Shull)

Bill, the younger brother, is a responsible figure who runs a successful restaurant and tries to keep his siblings out of trouble. His struggle between familial loyalty and moral correctness defines his character, making him the grounding force amidst the chaos.

📈 Responsible 🛡️ Protector 🍽️ Restaurateur

Clifford Anderson (Jon Lovitz)

Clifford is the bank president who becomes a hostage during the chaos. His reactions add to the film's humor, and his character embodies the ordinary people's plight in the face of criminal antics.

🏦 Hostage 😂 Comedic ⏳ Ordinary

Setting


Time period

Christmas Season

The movie unfolds during the Christmas season when the atmosphere is filled with joy and warmth, contrasting the brothers' criminal intentions. This festive period underlines the themes of redemption and familial bonds, as the characters navigate through their misdeeds while seeking closure.

Location

New York City, Paradise, Pennsylvania

New York City is a bustling metropolis known for its iconic skyline, vibrant culture, and festive spirit, especially during Christmas. Paradise, Pennsylvania, is a small town that showcases the classic Americana charm, serving as the backdrop for the brothers' chaotic adventure and their attempts at redemption.

🏙️ City 🏞️ Town

Themes


🎄

Redemption

The theme of redemption looms large as the ex-convict brothers try to return stolen money and mend their past mistakes. Their journey to correct their actions emphasizes the value of integrity and personal growth, especially in the face of dire circumstances.

👨‍👦‍👦

Family

Family plays a crucial role in the film, as the brothers navigate their morally dubious choices with the help of their younger sibling. The bond between them drives the narrative, highlighting loyalty, trust, and the lengths one may go to protect loved ones.

🕵️‍♂️

Crime & Consequence

The story dives into the cat-and-mouse dynamics of crime and justice, demonstrating how one poor decision can escalate into a chaotic series of events. As the brothers confront the repercussions of their actions, the film illustrates the unpredictability of crime and the consequences that follow.

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