Dysfunctional friends Dignan and Anthony plan and execute a robbery with their pot-growing friend, Bob. The short film that inspired Wes Anderson’s feature debut.
Belle Duke, in order to get revenge on her former lover Philip Bang, organizes his jail break. But instead of Philip, it is the Italian Felice Brianza, AKAS Felix, who escapes. Now Felix is obliged to help Philip to escape. He succeeds and the two join to defraud Belle. The swindle plot become more complicated when Felix falls in love for Philip's daughter.
Pasquale Bellachioma, the unfortunate Police Commissioner, creates a "master stroke" that can finally put it to light before their superiors, but the results is continuous failure.