In a unique blend of homage and parody to classic film noir, we follow the escapades of a private detective in the 1940s, a tough guy named Rigby Reardon, who finds himself immersed in a mystery that leads him to explore the dark secrets of the city. When the beautiful and enigmatic Rachel Phelps walks into his office seeking help, his life takes an unexpected turn. She is convinced that someone is behind the death of her father, a famous scientist who was about to reveal a groundbreaking discovery.
With his naturally sharp suspicions, Rigby begins to investigate, but what initially seems like a straightforward case turns into a puzzle filled with unexpected twists. Caught between various high-society characters and cunning criminals, the detective becomes intertwined with the shadows of old films. In his quest for the truth, Rigby encounters a series of flashbacks from classic film noir that intersperse the narrative, adding a nostalgic and absurd touch to the journey.
With a star-studded cast that includes Steve Martin and Rachel Ward, the film becomes a love letter to a golden era of cinema, combining witty dialogue with absurd situations and a visual style reminiscent of the greats of the past. In this entertaining intertwining of stories, Rigby must not only solve the mystery but also grapple with his own demons while realizing that in the world of crime, appearances can be deceiving and nothing is as it seems.