The plot was certainly different. Eugene (Duchovny) is a shell of a man living on the shadier side of town. We first meet him heading into a nightclub to procure his poison of choice, using unmarked bills under the table. There is no doubt that Eugene is a drug addict because he tells us so in a commentary that starts with the opening credits and fills us in on all the doubtful bits all the way to the end.

Obviously the screenwriter said, why tax their brains with clever runs of dialogue to build up the character -- let's just tell them straight up and get on with the plot. The only time this is deviated from is when Eugene is off the planet. We see his history in a dreamstate. He's a surgeon with a drug problem who lets a patient die on the operating table.

So, Eugene is in the nightclub procuring drugs when some dudes with guns come in and pump a patron full of lead. Eugene reverts to doctor mode and operates on-the-spot, saving the man's life.

It transpires that the man was a goon in the employ of a bigger goon. The bigger goon, Ray Blossom (Hutton), is grateful and displays his gratitude by slipping Eugene a fat wad of readies.

From here the plot thickens. The doc gets involved with the gangster, partly for the money and partly for the excitement.

Now, in step the feds to tell the doctor he's a very naughty boy and will spend a long time in jail if he doesn't help them put the bad guy behind bars.

How predictable! I here you say. Well, don't give up yet. Just when you think you're one step ahead of the plot it takes an unpredicted turn, leaving you guessing again.

The acting from the two male leads is about the only first rate element of this second rate movie. But, like many low budget flicks, one can often see the uncut diamond in the rough.