Things Are Tough All Over

Things Are Tough All Over

Year: 1982

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Thomas K. Avildsen

ActionComedy

Two struggling musicians, Cheech and Chong, accept a job driving a limousine from Chicago to Las Vegas. Their routine trip turns chaotic when they find a large sum of money hidden inside the vehicle. Suddenly pursued by the money's owners, they embark on a hilarious and unpredictable journey across the desert, encountering a series of wild and outrageous situations as they try to evade capture.

Things Are Tough All Over (1982) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Things Are Tough All Over (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the sun‑scorched stretch between the wind‑blown streets of Chicago and the neon glitter of Las Vegas, two down‑on‑their‑luck musicians find themselves thrust into an unexpected road‑trip gig. Cheech and Chong—best friends bound together by a shared love of music, mischief, and a perpetual struggle to catch a break—are hired to ferry a sleek limousine across the country. Their routine job quickly takes on a wildly surreal quality, hinted at by the idle chatter of roadside diners and the humming hum of desert radio, setting the stage for a comedy that rides the line between slapstick and stoner philosophy.

The open road becomes a playground of eccentric encounters, where every gas station, tumble‑down motel, and desert outpost promises a fresh brand of absurdity. As the duo cruises deeper into the arid landscape, they discover a hidden stash of cash tucked away in the limo’s interior, a find that instantly catapults them into a chaotic cat‑and‑mouse game. The presence of this unexpected fortune hints at a shadowy network of owners who will stop at nothing to reclaim what they consider theirs, turning the innocuous drive into a high‑stakes chase that teeters between danger and hilarity.

Tone‑wise, the film balances the languid, heat‑induced haze of a desert trek with rapid‑fire jokes and off‑beat visual gags, all filtered through Cheech and Chong’s uniquely laid‑back, improvisational chemistry. Their banter‑laden narration weaves a thread of camaraderie and yearning throughout the landscape, inviting the audience to share in both the bewildering moments and the quieter, introspective pauses under endless skies. With each mile, the story promises an unpredictable cascade of wild situations that test friendship, ingenuity, and the sheer audacity of two unlikely heroes trying to outrun a destiny they never signed up for.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:10

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Chaotic Road Trip Movies like Things Are Tough All Over

Unpredictable journeys where the destination is less important than the mayhem.If you enjoyed the unpredictable desert journey in Things Are Tough All Over, you'll love these films. This list features movies with a similar vibe: fast-paced, hilarious road trip misadventures where a simple plan goes completely off the rails, leading to wild pursuits and comedic chaos.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear journey, usually from point A to point B, but this structure is merely a vehicle for a series of escalating, outrageous events. A catalyst—like found money, a mistaken identity, or a wrong turn—throws the protagonists into a world of trouble, forcing them to improvise their way through increasingly absurd obstacles.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared emphasis on fast-paced, physical comedy derived from a journey gone wrong. They prioritize laugh-out-loud scenarios and witty banter over deep emotion, creating a consistently lighthearted and unpredictable viewing experience centered on survival through silliness.

Buddy Comedies with a Stoner Vibe like Things Are Tough All Over

Hilarious friendships tested by low-stakes, drug-fueled chaos.Fans of the Cheech and Chong chemistry in Things Are Tough All Over will appreciate these similar buddy comedies. Discover movies that pair hilarious friends in absurd, often stoner-themed scenarios, where the fun is in the journey and the jokes, not the consequences.

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Narrative Summary

The plot is often a straightforward framework designed to showcase the central duo's comedic interplay. Conflict arises from external forces reacting to the pair's antics or a simple MacGuffin they must deal with. The emotional journey is minimal, with the focus squarely on the friendship and the laughs.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their core comedic engine: the relationship between two friends. The specific 'stoner' vibe comes from a particular style of humor—absurd, observational, and often revolving around drug use—that creates a distinct, relaxed, and consistently hilarious mood.

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Things Are Tough All Over Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Things Are Tough All Over

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Things Are Tough All Over

More About Things Are Tough All Over

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