Summary
When English tourist, Warren Butler (Adam Caine) arrives in Los Angeles, he has no idea what was
in store for him.
From the reservation at the Barclay Hotel, to the subsequent mugging
by the locals, Warren manages to loose everything within his first few hours. In
desperation he throws himself on the mercy of a beautiful Mexican girl, called Marisabel (Talisa Soto).
Agreeing to help the unfortunate tourist Marisabel plans to drive him to a YMCA,
after a stop at her sisters Quince'nera Here he meets her extended family, including
her two brothers Walker (Jorge Cordova) and Smiley (Alexis Cruz).
Walker is given the job of driving Warren to his hotel, and while on the way spots Smiley's car parked in a downtown vacant lot.
They stumble in on a drug deal where Smiley is just a beginner, but Warren is recognized
by one of the dealers from the airport earlier that day. He is mistaken for a cop,
gun fire follows killing Marisabel's brother Walker and wounding Smiley.
Before his death, Walker instructs his two friends, Jesus (Carlos Gomez) and Cookie (Juan Hernandez), to drive his dying brother
to an old veteran gangster, named Lizard, who was one of the few success stories
from the gang. With Jesus driving and the gentle giant Cookie, riding shotgun, Smiley
is driven out into the Nevada desert in Smiley's pride and joy, a 1963 Convertible
Chevy Impala.
Marisabel goes along to tend to her younger brothers wounds, and Warren
has nowhere else to go. A brief stop at a Mini- Mart raises suspicions in the isolated
desert towns, and the call is put out. Arriving at Lizards house in the desert, they
realize he is in no position to help anyone. No money, no hope and too many mouths
to feed, Lizard must turn them away.
Smiley's disillusionment with gang life is now
complete and he asks to stop the car. Smiley dies after a night spent around the
fire, and surrounded by friends. They follow his wishes and bury him in the desert.
Finally, the chevy rumbles off deeper into the desert.
As the action continues, tension in the car reach a feverish pitch, Jesus and Warren clash for the last time and engage
in a brutal fist fight by the side of the road. Interrupted by an unfortunate State
Trooper. Jesus murders the trooper sending the situation way out of control and during
a final dash for the city limits both Jesus and Cookie loose their lives in heroic
style. Marisabel and Warren are left to walk through the desert to their freedom.
Their ordeal is over but their lives are changed forever.
Selected references
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