The young kid from Kansas is named Jamie Conway, and he is played by Michael J. Fox in the film adaptation of the novel by Jay McInerney. Jamie lands a job at a prestigious magazine called "New York" and tries to navigate the fast-paced city life of Manhattan. He quickly becomes enamored with the nightclub scene, drugs, and heavy drinking.
His escalating addiction jeopardizes his relationships with his colleagues, friends, and wife, Amanda, played by Phoebe Cates. When Amanda leaves him, Jamie is forced to confront his self-destructive behavior and spiral into a deeper depression.
Jamie’s cousin Vicky, played by Kiefer Sutherland, arrives in town to help him. Vicky is a drug dealer who has her own demons but manages to initiate Jamie's path to recovery. He begins to get his life back on track and starts to write again, which becomes an essential part of his healing process.
The film is directed by James Bridges and has an all-star cast that includes Tracy Pollan, Dianne Wiest, and Jason Robards. It is a poignant and powerful story of redemption and self-awareness set in the hedonistic world of 1980s New York.