Michael (James Spader) is a timid, young entry-level executive pushed around both at work and in his private life. Just when an incident at a local bar is about to turn very badly for Michael in steps the handsome and assertive Alex (Rob Lowe). Alex is everything that Michael is not – smooth, suave and strong. Their friendship launches that night and they rocket into best buddies with Alex showing Michael the ropes what it means to be a “man,” only Alex’s definition of being a man first starts out as innocent fun and seems empowering to Michael but quickly takes a bad turn into boozing, sex, and ultimately crime. Michael finally decides that he doesn’t want to be the “man” that Alex is and tries to cut all ties to Alex, but Alex will have known of this. In the end, they must face off in an ultimate showdown.