Gloria Mundy, portrayed by the talented Goldie Hawn, finds herself at a party in a small town located just across the bay from San Francisco. During a revealing conversation with a friend, we learn she is freshly divorced and has decided to steer clear of the dating scene to protect her heart from further anguish. However, her friend encourages her to embrace socializing, contemplating a flirtation with a charming stranger, played by Chevy Chase. Ultimately, deciding he is a clumsy bore, she drives home alone, the scenic Marin County coastline glimmering in the background as Barry Manilow serenades, singing, "Ready to Take a Chance Again."
While on her drive, Gloria's life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a dashing stranger, Bob Scott, portrayed by Bruce Solomon, stranded with a broken-down vehicle. A spark of spontaneity surges within her, prompting her to pull over and lend a helping hand. As they converse, Scott slips a pack of cigarettes containing a spool of film into her purse, suggesting they meet at a nearby movie theater later that evening. However, unbeknownst to her, they are being followed by ominous figures in a black limousine, and when they reach the theater, Scott is revealed to be in dire straits, bleeding and in pain. He cryptically warns Gloria, "Beware of the dwarf!" before falling lifelessly to the ground, leaving her in sheer panic. When she seeks assistance from the theater manager, she is met with disbelief as the body mysteriously vanishes.
Later, Gloria shares this bizarre account with her elderly landlord, Mr. Hennessey, played by Burgess Meredith, a quirky retired anthropologist who keeps an exceptionally large snake as a pet, and her girlfriend, Stella, portrayed by Marilyn Sokol, who dismisses the ordeal as a prank gone awry and urges her to remain vigilant by carrying self-defense tools.
As darkness descends that evening, Gloria faces a terrifying encounter at the library with an albino man, played by William Frankfather, who attempts to abduct her. This leads to a frantic escape, during which she encounters Stanley Tibbets, played by Dudley Moore, at a bar. She implores him for sanctuary without divulging the chaos she’s fleeing. Misinterpreting her plea, he prepares for a romantic encounter, only for Gloria to be distracted by the unfolding menacing situation outside.
The terror escalates when a scarred assailant, played by Don Calfa, invades her apartment, demanding the contents of the cigarettes Scott had slipped to her. In a desperate struggle, Gloria defends herself with knitting needles, believing she has slain her attacker. However, a chilling twist awaits as he revives and advances on her, only to be met with the timely intervention of the albino assassin who dispatches the threat.
Awakening to find Lt. Tony Carlson, portrayed by Chevy Chase, by her side, Gloria recants her horrid experience, but as always, the evidence seems to evaporate. While her plight is met with skepticism by Carlson's partner, Fergie, played by Brian Dennehy, Tony can't shake his growing attraction to Gloria, inviting her to the station for a heartwarming lunch meeting.
During this time, Gloria again becomes a target of her pursuers and is swiftly captured by the albino and The Turk. In a moment of sheer desperation, she utilizes her portable alarm fending off her captor and makes a daring escape, leaping from the fire escape into the downpour, eventually arriving at Tony’s office drenched and desperate for safety.
The following day, as Tony and Fergie uncover sinister ties to a notorious assassin named "Stiltskin," Gloria finds herself entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens her life and that of the Pope. As they scramble to shield her from looming doom, their bond deepens during a frenzied night spent aboard Tony's luxurious houseboat.
This whirlwind of chaos propels Gloria into confrontations with unexpected allies and formidable foes, including a mistaken midget salesman named J.J. MacKuen, played by Billy Barty, who falls victim to a misunderstanding that sends him tumbling down a San Francisco street.
As the narrative builds toward a high-octane climax, the plot seamlessly weaves a life-and-death race against time to thwart a sinister plot against the Pope during an opera performance. This culminates in a breathtaking showdown filled with heart-stopping action, daring leaps of faith, and an exhilarating ballet of suspense that brings Gloria and Tony together in a dramatic embrace amidst the chaos.
With humor, romance, and intrigue interspersed throughout the tension, the film unravels a captivating story of courage and resilience, leading to a conclusion that leaves the audience cheering for the unexpected heroes and questioning the status quo of their own everyday lives.
