Set in early 1980's California, the story follows the rise of John DeLorean, and his iconic DeLorean Motor Company, through his friendship with charming ex-con turned FBI informant, Jim Hoffman, played by Jason Sudeikis. Hoffman and his wife (Judy Greer) become besties with DeLorean (played by Lee Pace) and his wife. Trouble begins when Hoffman is given an easy way out of his legal problems by setting his new friend up for an FBI agent leading a desperate DeLorean to agree to a sketchy cocaine transaction in order to save his failing business.