Warm-hearted cop Charlie Lang (Nicolas Cage - Con Air) lives in Queens with socially ambitious wife Murial (Rosie Perez - Fearless), faithfully completing his lottery ticket every week. Charlie's life changes forever when he walks into the café where bankrupt waitress Yvonne Biasi (Bridget Fonda - Jackie Brown) brings him a cup of coffee.

Realising he has no money for a tip, Charlie promises Yvonne that if he wins the lottery, he'l give her half the prize. Amazingly, the win - to the tune of $4 million! Muriel is furious when Charlie insists on keeping his promise, but when she reluctantly agrees, the whole of New York celebrates. But they soon find that money brings out both the best and worse in people, and that instant fortune and fame has changed their lives forever...