- Brothers Treat and Philip have lived alone since they were kids. Interdependent, they dwell in a loft house and live on little thefts, until an aging minor criminal moves in with them and takes over the role of a father.
- In Newark, New Jersey, brothers Treat (Matthew Modine) and Phillip (Kevin Anderson) are in their twenties, but still act like they are ten years old. The two have been on their own since their father abandoned them as children and they live in a decaying, three-story house in the middle of a field near a housing project. Treat, the older brother, is a street punk, shoplifting items and robbing people. Phillip does not leave the house, convinced by Treat that he will have an allergic reaction to the pollen in the air outside. Although Treat takes care of his younger brother, he also teases, torments and chastises Phillip routinely to keep him in line.
Harold (Albert Finney), a Chicago gangster, comes to Newark with a briefcase full of stock certificates and negotiable bonds. Treat spots Harold getting drunk in a local pub and invites him to come back to the house. When Harold passes out on the sofa, Treat steals his watch and wallet. Upon discovering the stocks and bonds in Harold's briefcase, Treat gets the idea they can hold Harold for ransom, estimating they could get $1 or $2 million for him. They tie Harold to a chair and put tape over his mouth.
The next morning, Treat leaves Phillip to watch over Harold, while he goes to pawn the watch and other items from Harold's suitcase. Harold gets the tape off his mouth and begins loosening the knots in the ropes that bind him, explaining that he is an admirer of magician Harry Houdini. Harold offers Phillip some fatherly concern, asking why his shoes are untied. When Phillip explains that he never learned to tie his shoes, Harold nods, saying that many people cannot tie knots. Harold suggests Phillip can wear loafers which do not need tying and offers to buy him some. Harold says that Phillip's shoulder needs an encouraging squeeze and, like a timid cat, Phillip slowly goes to the man and allows Harold to put his arm around his shoulder.
By the time Treat returns, Harold has untied the ropes, shaved, changed clothes and begun cleaning up the kitchen. Treat reports that he telephoned people trying to get a ransom for Harold, but they just laughed at him. Harold observes that Treat has a violent streak, something he admires. He offers Treat $500 a week to be his bodyguard. When Treat refuses, he offers $1,000 a week, with the first month paid in advance, and pulls out $4,000 in cash. Treat wants to know where Harold got the cash, since he stole Harold's wallet. The gangster replies that he never keeps all his money in one place, and offers to hire both brothers for $1,750 a week and promises to get them the finest clothes, food, and women. Treat pulls a knife on Harold, but the gangster pulls a gun, reminding the street punk that the first rule of kidnapping is to frisk the victim. Treat lunges at Harold who punches him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Harold goes to Phillip, who has been meekly observing this interaction, and puts his arm around the young man. Phillip melts with delight at this fatherly hug.
Several weeks later, Harold has cleaned up, bought some new furniture, and begun painting the house. He has also purchased new clothes for Phillip and Treat and begun training Treat to be a gangster. Treat flaunts his new clothes and status, getting the attention of some New York gangsters. Treat wants to go to Chicago, Illinois, on a job for Harold. However, Harold says that Treat has not yet learned to control his temper, advising him to count to ten before reacting to anything. While Treat appreciates the mentoring, he grows resentful of the influence Harold is having over Phillip.
One rainy night, Harold goes to Phillip's bedroom, suggesting he open the window to let in fresh air. Phillip panics, saying that Treat told him the night air was especially bad for his allergies. Harold opens the window and has Phillip stick his head out. When Phillip does not have an allergic reaction, he begins laughing and crying as the rain pours over his head.
Treat returns from New York with a package for Harold, who is upset that his protégé did not follow his instructions precisely. He is also upset that Treat took his gun without permission and says that that Treat is still not ready to go out on assignments.
A few days later, Harold suggests Phillip take a walk with him. Phillip says that Treat will not let him go on walks because he might get lost, but Harold gives Phillip a map of Newark, circles the location of the house, and sends him outside. Phillip runs around in the field beside the house, delighted at the freedom he is experiencing. Treat returns home and is upset Phillip is not there.
When Phillip returns home, Treat begins taunting and teasing him to regain control over his brother. Phillip does not respond the way he used to and instead opens the windows to prove he is not allergic to the air. Phillip also shows Treat the map which Harold gave him, but Treat tears it up. In response, Phillip lunges at his brother, but Treat quickly pins him to the floor and begins choking him, then releases him. Disturbed that Phillip no longer seems to need him, Treat reminds his brother of all the times that he has protected him in the past.
Harold returns home, much to Phillip's relief, and promises never to leave Phillip again. He also notes that Treat still needs encouragement and compliments him by calling him a "dead end kid." Harold sits on the sofa and dies. The brothers see that Harold has been shot in the stomach and is bleeding. Phillip puts his arm around Treat as the brothers cry over their loss.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content