In the film, Scudder is played by Jeff Bridges, and he becomes increasingly unstable after the shooting incident. He begins to frequent bars and becomes friends with Sunny, a high-class call girl played by Alexandra Paul. Sunny introduces Scudder to a world of drugs and partying, and he quickly becomes addicted to both.
As his life spirals out of control, Scudder is approached by a wealthy man named Chance (Randy Brooks) who wants him to find his missing wife, Sarah (Rosanna Arquette). Scudder takes the case and begins to unravel a complex web of lies and deceit that leads him into a dangerous world of drug traffickers and organized crime.
Throughout the movie, Scudder struggles with his addiction and tries to maintain his sobriety. He finds support from his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, Leonard (Andy Garcia), and from Sunny, who helps him through his struggle. As he delves deeper into the case, Scudder discovers that Sarah's disappearance is connected to a powerful drug lord named Angel Maldonado (Andy Garcia), who is determined to keep his secrets hidden at any cost.
The movie is directed by Hal Ashby and is based on the novel of the same name by Lawrence Block. It was released in 1986 and received mixed reviews from critics, but has since developed a cult following. It is known for its gritty portrayal of addiction and its realistic portrayal of the seedy underworld of drug trafficking.