Lenny Brown moves to California to find his fortune in tax shelter investments. When the federal government changes the tax laws, poor Lenny finds himself $700,000 in hock with nowhere to turn. His friend, Joel, introduces him to cocaine to give Lenny that needed "boost". What ensues next is a descent into drug addiction and insanity as Lenny tries to regain control of his life, all the while needing that extra "boost".

The first shot of the movie was actually the last one filmed; it is also the only shot actually filmed in New York City. The rest of the movie's NYC scenes were filmed in Los Angeles because the crew was on such a tight budget.

Max:
[Max has discovered that Lenny put a check in Max's safety-deposit box, after "borrowing" $20,000 from the Century West Maintenance account, so that Lenny could treat Linda to a night in Las Vegas] A worthless goddamn CHECK?


Lenny:
What are you getting hysterical about? It was just a LOAN.


Max:
In all my life, I never treated ANYONE like I treated you! You were POOR; I made you RICH. You were DROWNING; I gave you a YACHT! And then you STOLE from me. After I treated you like a son. TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!


Lenny:
You want another check? I'll write you another check right now.


Max:
A check is no damn good. You want to be a liar as well as a thief?


Lenny:
Then tell me what to do. Just tell me, Max.


Max:
[hugs Lenny, then speaks softly] You gotta go. I can't have you around here anymore.