Accountant Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) arrives at the train station with his daughter Lynn. Two strangers, Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken) and Ms. Jones, survey the station, discussing a scheme. They approach the Watsons. Convincing Watson they are the police by showing him a badge, they yank father and daughter into a van. Soon, Watson notices something is wrong. Smith tells Watson his daughter will be killed, unless he murders someone for them. He finds out the target is Governor Eleanor Grant and knows trying to kill her to be suicide.
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At the hotel, where a campaign appearance is organized, Watson tries to warn people, but Smith follows him around. Watson approaches campaign assistant, Krista Brooks (Gloria Reuben). She believes his story and gets him to report it to Brendan Grant, the governor's husband. He appears to disbelieve the story. Then Smith shows up and shoots Krista. Watson finds out that nearly everybody in the campaign, including the governor's husband, is in on the scheme, with a right-wing lobbyist behind it.
Watson gets disabled war-veteran and shoe polisher at the hotel, Huey, to help him. At first Huey doesn't believe him, but is convinced when he overhears Smith talk to Watson about the scheme. He assists Watson in getting to Governor Grant's suite to tell her about the conspiracy. Although initially skeptical, she later notices her husband act suspiciously and understands Watson was telling her the truth. The governor then proceeds to greet her supporters. Watson takes out a gun, points it at the projector room where Smith is watching and shoots at the window. The panic thus caused, results in a stampede, and a gunfight between Watson and a couple of security guards. Assuming her to be dead, Brendan gloats about the scheme's success, only to find his wife has overheard.
Meanwhile, Huey stalls Jones. She got in the van with Lynn, after being unable to contact Smith. Lynn tries to get out, but Smith opens the door and starts to shoot. Then Watson arrives and shoots Smith. And before Jones can shoot the Watson's, Huey knocks her out cold. In the last scene the governor thanks Watson for saving her, just after the plot's mastermind is seen leaving in a car.
Best part of story, including ending:
It's a formula film but Johnny Depp is always fun to watch.
Best scene in story:
Where Huey knocks the woman assassin unconscious with his artificial leg is rather funny.
Opinion about the main character:
He is a guy minding his own business but gets involved with criminals out of the blue, making him act totally out of character.
