Defense attorney Duke Diver, who once defended the leaders of the world's deadliest criminal organizations, now finds himself managing the luxurious resort Villa Capri located in the picturesque Palm Springs, California. Enter [Leo](tommy-lee-jones), a former FBI agent who quickly makes his presence felt by taking Duke's parking spot, signaling the start of an unexpected rivalry.
The plot thickens when a furious New Jersey resident, Delilah, catches sight of an advertisement showcasing Villa Capri and the images of a man named William Dupree—a man she blames for her husband's imprisonment due to his lackluster defense. Feeling vengeful, she contacts her son to convey her desire for "a gift" this Christmas—namely, the head of Dupree, who, unbeknownst to her, is actually Duke.
As Leo settles in, he derives joy from his new surroundings and contrives a friendly competition with Duke, who previously enjoyed the title of the resort's "Casanova." Duke, riding in a golf cart styled like a Hummer, relishes drawing large sums of cash from the resort's accounts for personal perks. His loyal assistant Jimmy and his accountant Ginger keep things running smoothly. Meanwhile, the alluring trio of Margarite, Roberta, and Lily find themselves vying for Duke's attention, despite his increasingly escalating rivalry with Leo.
When Duke learns that Leo has paid for his stay in full cash, he extends an invitation to partake in the evening's poker game. This night takes an intriguing turn when Duke finds himself distracted by unexpected visits from both Margarite and Roberta before the poker night begins. Leo participates in the game, boasting a fabricated backstory as an ex-military international trader, and manages to win all of Duke's poker chips, marking the first time this has happened to Duke, who usually dominates in these games.
As the Christmas season envelops the resort, Duke intends to create a festive atmosphere, even ordering camels for a nativity scene, only to spot a potential threat to his cherished routine—a new camel supplier. The rivalry intensifies as Duke becomes aware of Leo's growing affection from the resort's female residents, especially after Leo invites them for dinner.
In the course of events, Duke challenges Leo to 18 holes of golf, only for their match to be interrupted by a hidden rattlesnake found in Duke’s golf bag. This leads to a comedic and chaotic fallout from their competitive spirit. Their rivalry further ensnares Suzie, the regional director for the resort chain, who visits incognito and becomes part of their tumultuous dynamic as Duke and Leo vie for her attention.
In a turn of fate, Duke finds himself in quite the predicament when corporate chooses to send a corporate Santa to evaluate his management skills. Comically, a fight breaks out between Duke and the corporate Santa, with Leo stepping in to assist, symbolizing a newfound camaraderie. Yet, Suzie's true intentions come to light when she must assess Duke's operations, revealing discrepancies and lack of documentation in his management style.
Amid all the turmoil, Duke performs with his longtime friend, Johnny Mathis, during the Christmas festivities, heightening the stakes as Leo boldly asks Suzie to dance, instantly igniting Duke's jealousy. As Duke becomes more inebriated, he confides in Suzie about his admiration for her, unaware of the soon-to-be explosive situation involving his past as a mob lawyer, now being hunted.
When the reality of Duke's dangerous history resurfaces, they are targeted by a hitman, whom they come to realize is the mob boss's son, Oscar. Faced with the looming threat, both Duke and Leo establish an alliance to survive, risking their lives as they must now navigate a perilous path to safety.
As tensions culminate, Suzie gets kidnapped by Oscar, leading to a thrilling climax where Duke and Leo must band together to rescue her. The story concludes with Duke receiving a new identity as he takes on a new management role at a Florida resort, while Leo and Suzie find solace and love in each other’s company. It's a lighthearted tale filled with laughter, tension, and surprising friendships that blossom amid chaos.
