When failing salesman Tommy Wilhelm (Robin Williams) loses his job, his life starts to fall apart. His wife, Margaret (Glenne Headly), divorces him, and his disappointed father (David Bickford) belittles him. Tommy decides to move to New York City for a job set up by his friend Dr. Tamkin (Richard B. Shull), still believing he has the skills to be a top salesman. When prospects in New York do not improve for Tommy, he fights for the little work he can find.