Three petty thieves who the police believe to be major criminals are chased into a basement bar where they take five hostages including all the bar employees. The rest of the movie deals with the cops lurking outside the bar while the trio try to get hold of the situation inside.

Director Cameo: [Kevin Spacey] ATF agent giving pointing out Agent Browning to TV newswoman

[In a TV interview]


Jenny Ferguson:
Agent Browning, can you shed some light on what's been happening here?


Agent Browning:
Well, it looks like some goddamn stupid motherfucker has decided to take some poor innocent fucks hostage. Now we've been out here all fucking night trying to deal with this goddamn situation, but there hasn't been a fucking break yet. But we're sure as shit hopeful that everyone will be safe, and that we bring this motherfucker, or motherfuckers, as the case may be, to fucking justice. How's that?

Factual errors: Because of the city's proximity to sea level, it is difficult, if not impossible to have underground (basement) dwellings in New Orleans.