There's nothing Jimmy (Eric Stoltz) won't do to avoid a beating at the hands of his bookie (Charles Durning). He tells his girlfriend Susan (Moira Kelly) a-whopper-of-a-lie to trick her into raising the cash. Susan turns to her soft-touch brother Ray (Campbell Scott), owner of the Hi Life bar, with an even bigger sob story than Jimmy's. Ray scrambles to collect debts from friends and seductive ex-lover Maggie (Daryl Hannah) who also happens to be Jimmy's sister. With everyone gathered at the Hi Life, a slip of the tongue sparks a moment of truth that sets off hilarious changes in the lives and relationships of all the deceivers and believers.