Joe Buck, a good-looking, naively charming Texas 'cowboy' who's convinced that he's the salvation of many love-starved New York women, makes his way to the Big Apple to seek his fortune. Trouble is, his well-to-do clientele never materialises and the only wealth he finds is in the friendship of Ratso Rizzo, a scrounging, sleazy, small-time con man with big dreams. Living on the tattered fringe of society, these two outcasts develop an unlikely bond - one that transcends their broken dreams and get-rich-quick schemes.