Hot Rod

Rod Kimble believes his dead father was a legendary stuntman and dreams of following in his footsteps. He trains against his stepfather Frank, who belittles him and constantly tests his limits. The clash between desire and disrespect fuels Rod's stubborn resolve to prove himself.

Rod makes several attempts to jump with his Tomos moped, each stunt ending in a stumble or crash. He keeps pushing despite public embarrassment from a failed jump at a local pool. The pursuit of glory remains his driving force, even as the risks mount.

Rod is devastated to learn that Frank needs a heart transplant that their health insurance won't cover. He fears Frank might die without earning his respect, intensifying his anger. In the woods, he tumbles down a hill and a billboard inspires him with a new, lofty plan.

Rod reunites with his childhood friends Rico and Dave and meets his half-brother Kevin. He shares his plan to jump 15 school buses to raise money for Frank's surgery. The idea rekindles hope and binds the group together in a shared mission.

Denise, Rod's neighbor and love interest, joins the team to support the plan. Her presence adds encouragement and a perspective that helps keep Rod focused. The team starts to organize fundraising and training around the stunt.

To promote the stunt, Rod and his team perform at parties, corporate events, and other gatherings. The tricks include taping pillows to Rod's body and swinging a washing machine with a crane to strike him. Each appearance blends humor with danger as they chase donations and attention.

Kevin experiments with editing footage of Rod's stunts and creates a promotional video. He screens the film at a local theater to raise funds, but the audience mocks Rod's training clips. Frustrated, Rod tears the projector from its mount and pays the damages to resolve the situation.

Back home, Rod learns that the man he idolized as his father was not the stuntman he believed. He feels humiliated and quits the team, stepping away from the dream. His friends push him to reconsider and remind him that the story has a larger audience online and on radio.

Dave advises Rod to apologize to Kevin, and Rod does so. Kevin reveals that Rod's stunt footage has gained online popularity, and a local AM radio show has offered to cover the jump's expenses. The team regroups as the buzz gives them renewed motivation.

Rod reconciles with Kevin and Denise, and the team reforms. They set up for the jump with new equipment and confidence, drawing on online buzz and the radio offer. Rico's pyrotechnic work becomes a central element of the plan.

On the day of the stunt, Rod's friends outfit him with a new suit, give him a rock to symbolize Rico's work, and supply a motorbike. Denise returns and kisses Rod as she ends her relationship with Jonathan, signaling support and romance amid the peril. The mood is charged with excitement and fear as they prepare the ramp.

Rod launches over the 15 buses, but his bike crashes through a stage and goes flying. He lands on the ground unconscious and experiences an out-of-body moment. He wakes to discover donations have continued to pour in, totaling over $50,000.

Six months after the jump, Rod spars with Frank and finally gains the upper hand in their rivalry. The confrontation ends not with humiliation but with mutual respect and a sense that Rod's dream has begun to mature into something enduring. The bond between stepfather and son shifts toward support.

After the credits, Rod bows to his moped as the sun sets behind it, a quiet tribute to the vehicle that carried his dream. The ending image reinforces the film's theme of perseverance and friendship. The moped remains the symbol of Rod's drive and identity.