They Call Me Bruce?

The events unfold in the late 20th century, before digital surveillance and modern transit tech. The road trip across the United States relies on street-level schemes and face-to-face interactions. The tone blends slapstick humor with crime-caper elements typical of 1980s cinema.

The story begins in California, where Bruce works for gangsters, and then follows a cross-country journey to New York City. The settings span sunlit streets to bustling urban centers as Bruce travels in search of the woman from his grandfather's tale. The film uses these varied locales to fuel the road-movie comedy and the criminal underworld backdrop.

🛣️ Road Trip

A long cross-country journey drives the plot, turning Bruce's travels into a series of encounters and misadventures. The road becomes a stage for comic misunderstandings and opportunities to prove himself. The journey also exposes Bruce to different American locales, shaping his character along the way.

🕵️ Identity

Bruce's resemblance to Bruce Lee and the newspaper mislabeling create a fragile sense of identity. He navigates being mistaken for a hero while trying to stay true to himself. The guardrails of self-image blur as he moves closer to New York and the woman from his grandfather's story.

💊 Crime & Comedy

Cocaine distribution and gangster schemes provide the criminal underworld backdrop. The film uses humor to explore moral ambiguity and the consequences of being swept up in others' plans. The clash between crime and Bruce's good-hearted nature sustains the comedic tone.