Wisdom

John Wisdom is a young man just out of college. On the night of his high school graduation, he gets drunk and steals a car. With a grand theft auto conviction he is branded a felon, and as a result cannot hold down a decent job. Seeing no future for himself, Wisdom takes a left turn: he decides to become a criminal for the people, evocative of Robin Hood.

After seeing news reports about impoverished farmers and working-class people being sent to the bank to pay ownership debts, Wisdom goes on a bank robbing spree with his girlfriend, Karen Simmons. He had planned to operate alone, but she insists on giving him a ride on the first job, and therefore inadvertently becomes his accomplice.

They do not steal money, but erase loan and mortgage records, buying time for the poor to pay their debts. At a small motel, the owner recognises them. Not able to keep it to himself, he and half a dozen people come to thank them, bearing gifts. Among them is a new vehicle.

However, the FBI is after them. The agents shoot up the motel at which the couple had been staying, only to find that Wisdom and Karen have already gone.

A panicky Karen eventually kills a local sheriff who recognises her in a convenience store. She and Wisdom make a run for the Canada–United States border, but when Karen is shot by a police helicopter, Wisdom leaves her in the care of some high school students and their teacher.

Wisdom resumes his flight on foot on the school grounds, first unloading his gun before he is surrounded by police and federal agents at the football field. As he appears to be reaching for his gun, he is riddled with gunfire and dies.

John wakes up where the film started, in his parents’ bathroom. He emerges from the bathtub and proceeds to get ready for his job interview. His entire story has apparently been a daydream.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 10:30