The time is the present. The Driver (Ryan O"Neal) is the best "wheel man" for hire. His work in driving getaway cars are exhibitions in excellence, works of art. The Detective (Bruce Dern) is the top cop of the force. Nobody he tracks down ever eludes him. Except the Driver. As the Driver pulls off another job, the Detective lays in wait for him. But the Driver has already planted his alibi, and is one step ahead of him. Through his operative, the Connection (Ronee Blakely), he hires the mysterious young woman, the Player (Isabelle Adjani), to lead the Detective astray.