Heroes

Jack Dunne, an amnesiac Vietnam veteran with likely PTSD, escapes a VA mental ward in New York City. He plans to start a worm farm in Eureka, California, as a fresh start. The escape marks the beginning of a road trip that will test his grip on reality.

At the city bus station, Jack encounters Carol Bell, a woman unsettled by an engagement to another man. His wild, disruptive antics on the bus and in a diner initially annoy her. Despite the rough start, they begin a cross-country trip toward Northern California, forming an uneasy bond.

During their journey, Carol reflects on her impending wedding while Jack searches for his three Vietnam buddies, hoping to recruit them for his worm-farming dream. The pursuit peels back Jack's memory gaps and PTSD as they move through middle America. Their coupling becomes a test of trust under the strain of his obsession.

They visit Jack Boyd, who races stock cars and runs a rabbit-waste operation for worm farming. Jack learns the venture lacks momentum, and he ends up racing, finishing third at a local track. Boyd then gives the car to Jack and Carol to continue their journey.

The couple checks into a roadside motel, trying to keep a low profile. Later, Jack is robbed outside a bar, losing the money they had stashed for the trip.

The stolen money leads them to a bar where a chaotic fight erupts. Carol crashes into the bar to rescue Jack, and the pair flee the scene together, nursing their bruised pride.

The couple reaches the suburban home of Army buddy Adcox. Adcox is not home but his wife and family are there, giving a glimpse of a life that's hardened by war's aftereffects. The visit leaves Jack unsettled and they press on toward Eureka.

A police traffic stop occurs after the bar crash damages their car. They abandon the car at a repair shop and decide to hitchhike the rest of the way to California.

A visit to the parents of Jack's third buddy reveals their friend had died in the war. Jack, who had known this but denied the truth, is forced to confront the battlefield trauma and the loss around him.

The revelation triggers a vivid flashback as Eureka's streets morph into the Viet Nam battlefield. Jack relives the trauma of his friend's death, pulling his sense of reality into question.

Carol's compassion and care help Jack face his memories and come to terms with reality. The trip culminates in a healing decision rather than an escape, and the worm-farm dream remains a symbol of reclaiming control over his life.