An odd couple (Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter), are desperate for a child but are both infertile, so they kidnap one of the famous Arizona quintuplets, believing that one wouldn't be missed. This proves not to be the case, and a frenetic chase ensues. The Coen brothers ('Barton Fink', 'The Hudsucker Proxy') bring their quirky sensibilities to this comic caper.

Eleven-year-old Timmy (Macaulay Culkin) is about to be reunited with his ex-con father (Ted Danson), who he has not seen for years. Unfortunately he arrives to witness dad, now a pastry chef, preparing for one last heist to set him up for life. However, once the theft has taken place, Timmy hides the booty, and blackmails his father into spoiling him rotten in return for telling him the loot's whereabouts.