Life has just hit rock bottom for advertising executive Nick Beam (Tim Robbins). After returning home unexpectedly, he sees his wife in bed with his boss. He immediately goes into shock, stumbles out of the house and behind the wheel of his car. While he sits at a traffic light, staring ahead in a near catatonic state, Nick finds a gun pointed at his head. The car jacker (Martin Lawrence) jumps in the car and orders Nick out. But Nick is past the point of caring. He locks the doors and shoves the accelerator to the floor. "You're messin' with the wrong guy on the wrong day."

The movie posters make the most of the contrast in the lead characters by showing Robbins towering over Lawrence. Like all the great comedy teams (Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis), the contrast in personalities fuels the comedy. Robbins plays a sharp-witted, well-dressed advertising executive, while Lawrence plays an educated but unemployed man who is pushed to the edge

However, the movie isn't all Robbins and Lawrence. Many of the best lines or sight gags are supplied by the supporting performers. We get Michael McKean mooning over his collection of native African artwork (all of which appear to be prodigiously equipped, if you know what I mean). Irma P. Hall is viciously funny as Lawrence's mom; she slaps her son silly--and even gives Robbins a slap: "That's because you were with him." And director Oedekerk saves the best for himself: a cocky security guard who spins his flashlight like he's a gunslinger. (And by all means, do not miss his scene with the laser beams!)

The story itself could easily have veered into sentimental (and phony) territory, but Oedekerk keeps pulling surprises. He has a great feeling for off-beat dialog, such as the scene where Robbins and Lawrence rob a store: Robbins does his best to scare the clerk and then Lawrence does his best, and then they insist the clerk tell them who was scarier.