Steve Tobias, played by Michael Douglas, is an undercover CIA agent navigating the challenging waters of both his secretive profession and his tumultuous family life. As his son Mark, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, prepares to wed Melissa Peyser, played by Lindsay Sloane, Steve finds himself in a precarious situation. Married to Judy Tobias, characterized by Candice Bergen, their relationship is far from harmonious, creating added stress for Steve as he attempts to juggle his covert operations while pretending to be a mundane xerox salesman at home.
The plot thickens when the two families come together for dinner—a seemingly innocent gathering that quickly veers off course. Melissa’s father, Jerry Peyser, a mild-mannered foot doctor poignantly depicted by Albert Brooks, unwittingly stumbles upon Steve’s clandestine activities. At this same time, an intricate scheme is unfurling as Steve attempts to orchestrate a deal to sell a Russian submarine, known as the Olga, to a notorious arms smuggler in France, using the deal as bait to capture arms traffickers.
> "I’m just a guy selling xerox machines in America," Steve tells himself, though his life is anything but ordinary.
As fate would have it, Steve forgets about the crucial family dinner, plunging into negotiations at an oriental restaurant owned by his friend, Quan Lee, portrayed by Chang Tseng. Partnered with Angela Harris, portrayed by Robin Tunney, Steve finds himself reluctant to let her take the reins in their operation, believing she’s not yet ready for such weighty responsibilities.
In a comedic twist, during a secretive meeting in the men’s restroom with Yadira, played by Tamara Gorski, to finalize the submarine deal, Jerry inadvertently overhears critical details that could shatter their family dynamics. The tension escalates when they encounter FBI agents who mistakenly believe Steve to be a rogue operator, culminating in a chaotic fight to fend them off.
Meanwhile, Mark, who is privy to his father's true profession, pushes Steve to mend fences with Jerry. The submarine’s seller, Cherkasov, a formidable Russian arms dealer, adds another layer of complexity to the plot. As Steve reaches out to Jerry at his workplace, the undercover shenanigans continue, with Steve cleverly hiding incriminating evidence in Jerry’s coat, leading to an unexpected arrest by the FBI.
Caught in the web of deception, Steve realizes he has no choice but to bring Jerry into the fold for the high-stakes meeting with Jean-Pierre Thibodoux, a smuggler played by David Suchet, who is interested in acquiring the submarine for his nefarious operations. With a transaction involving $170 million on the table, the stakes have never been higher, especially as the deal aligns with Mark's wedding day—a critical moment that intertwines both personal and professional perils.
As chaos unfurls, Jerry masquerades as “Fat Cobra,” a fictional legendary assassin, while secretly providing medical assistance to Thibodoux. When Jerry contacts the FBI, believing himself to be helping, Steve swiftly changes the location of the rehearsal dinner to throw them off, leading to tongue-in-cheek comedic miscommunication that proves to be both entertaining and harrowing.
As the wedding day approaches, Steve realizes that living a double life is taking a toll on Mark's happiness. He persuades Angela to delay the deal for a brief window, hoping to focus on familial celebrations. However, mischief ensues when it’s revealed that Angela has been colluding with Thibodoux, leading to Mark and Melissa’s abduction. In a desperate final showdown, Steve teams up with Mark, pitting them against Thibodoux, leading to a high-octane chase that ultimately culminates in a dramatic explosion near Lake Michigan, turning the serene wedding venue into a chaotic scene.
The wedding that was meant to be a joyous occasion is drenched in turmoil as FBI Agent Will arrives, poised to arrest Steve, only for Steve to cleverly turn the tables, asking Will to officiate the wedding amidst the pandemonium. The film wraps up with revelations that loop back to the larger conspiracy as Steve confesses to Jerry about the money still in play, setting the stage for further exhilarating escapades ahead.
