The story follows Paul Tracy (Charlie Sheen), a college student who aspires to follow in the footsteps of Senator Kitteridge (Raymond J. Barry). Eager to gain the Senator's endorsement for his political ambitions, Paul is assigned the challenging task of escorting the Senator's rebellious daughter, Robin (Kerri Green), to a rehabilitation center designed for girls in trouble. He enlists the help of his roommate T.S. (Alan Ruck), an aspiring writer who is more than willing to accompany him on this unusual journey.
At first, Robin is nearly incapacitated by her father's medication, slumped in the backseat of their car. As the trip progresses, she gradually awakens from this stupor and begins to plot her escape. Despite the chaotic start, a deep connection blossoms between Paul and Robin, which leads him to seriously consider her troubling allegations of abuse at the hands of her father.
Their journey is punctuated by a chance encounter with Missy Butler (Blair Tefkin), a charming Southern girl who harbors feelings for T.S. After Robin's attempt to flee is thwarted, Paul and his friends decide to veer off course to seek out Blanche (Sally Kellerman), Robin's estranged mother, in the hopes she can provide a sanctuary for her troubled daughter.
When they finally track down Blanche, it soon becomes clear that she is terrified of her ex-husband's wrath and refuses to help Robin escape. With no alternatives left, Paul reluctantly returns Robin to the institution, where the treatment she endures is inhumane.
Determined to liberate Robin, Paul devises a daring plan. Just as fate has it, he manages to sneak back into the facility, only to find Blanche approaching, desperate to see her daughter. However, security denies her entry. Seizing the moment, Paul declares his intent to free Robin, saying, > "I’ve come to set you free."
Initially, Robin feels defeated and is hesitant to believe in the possibility of escape. But when she sees her mother's mournful gaze longing for her through the fence, her spirit reignites, igniting her willingness to trust Paul’s plan. But just as they are poised to execute their daring escape, Senator Kitteridge intervenes, casting doubt on Paul's loyalty and forcing him to reject the Senator's support, thereby ending his internship in the process.
Blanche's fierce maternal instinct compels her towards the gate of the institution, ready to make any sacrifice to liberate her daughter. In the face of the Senator's intimidating threats, Blanche surprises him with a strong rebuttal, revealing her possession of sensitive evidence that could tarnish the Senator's reputation—clearly elicited from the clandestine investigation efforts of Paul and Robin. The confrontation rises to a climax when, in a swift move of defiance, Blanche strikes the Senator, leaving him off balance and stunned.
As they make their escape, chaos erupts within the institution as other girls seize the opportunity to break free, leading to a mass exodus. Despite the staff's frantic attempts to manage the uprising, they find themselves outpaced by the determined escapees.
Ultimately, Robin, Paul, Blanche, T.S., and Missy hit the road together, embarking on a journey filled with hope and new beginnings, as they leave behind the binding chains of their troubled past.
