As the sun sets over Los Angeles, the spirited cab driver Corky (Winona Ryder) finds herself picking up the glamorous Victoria Snelling (Gena Rowlands) from the airport. While navigating the bustling streets, Corky listens to Victoria juggle business calls, and despite their stark differences in social status, a unique bond begins to form between them. During the drive, Victoria, who is keenly scouting for talent, recognizes Corky's potential for a role in her upcoming film. However, Corky, with her eyes set on a different future—aspiring to be a mechanic—decides to decline the offer, staying true to her ambitions.
Meanwhile, in New York, we encounter Helmut Grokenberger ([Armin Mueller-Stahl]), a kind-hearted East German immigrant with a colorful past as a clown, who now navigates the chaotic streets as a taxi driver. His evening takes an unexpected turn when he picks up YoYo ([Giancarlo Esposito]), a bold and street-smart individual. Unfamiliar with how to handle an automatic car, Helmut entrusts the driving to YoYo. As they journey towards Brooklyn, they stop to fetch YoYo's feisty sister-in-law Angela (Rosie Perez), who sparks lively conversation. Helmut's experiences reveal his earnest quest to grasp the essence of New York culture amidst the city’s vibrant chaos.
In Paris, a captivating tale unfolds with a blind woman (Béatrice Dalle) who encounters a driver from the Ivory Coast named Isaach De Bankolé. Their nighttime ride is framed by amusing yet challenging exchanges, exploring the themes of perception and cultural disparity. When the driver inquires about her blindness, she attempts to convey her experience, but their contrasting backgrounds create a complex dialogue. An ironic twist emerges as the driver, after dropping her off, becomes so enchanted that he gazes back at her, leading to an unforeseen accident when he collides with another vehicle. The angry driver’s accusation adds a light-hearted layer to the poignant moment.
In a late-night scenario in Rome, an unconventional taxi driver portrayed by Roberto Benigni encounters a distressed priest (Paolo Bonacelli). As he drives through the winding streets, the cabbie engages the priest in a rather unorthodox confession, sharing explicit and humorous elements of his personal life, including bizarre past experiences. The priest, already in poor health, is taken aback and ultimately suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving the cab driver in a surreal predicament that speaks to the absurdities of life.
Lastly, in Helsinki, three workers, adversely affected by a series of misfortunes and unemployment, hop into the cab of Mika (Matti Pellonpää). Their conversation is filled with grim reflections about life's difficulties, particularly concerning their recently laid-off friend grappling with divorce and personal challenges. In an attempt to lighten the mood, Mika shares a heart-wrenching story that unexpectedly binds them, revealing how the struggles of life impact not only them but also their drunken companion, who remains oblivious to the changes around him as dawn breaks and a new day begins.
