Stephen Volllmer

Big Knuckles Stephen Volllmer

Fresh of a divorce, unemployed, and, getting by with the help of a less than moral friend, Phil Fairchild is in the midst of a mid-life crisis worsened by no money. His raunchy friend, Jim Pence, whom Phil reluctantly hangs with, lives off the royalties of the famous nineteenth century writer Arthur Peter Pence. Hollywood is making a movie out of one of his novels and Jim Pence will be coming into megabucks which he promises to share and squander with Phil. Phil is attracted to and becomes friendly with his neighbor across the street, Penny. His unemployment has run out and he attempts to close out his bank account. The bank officer, Gloria, turns out to be a femme fatale who is hot for Phil. She also happens to be a money launderer for the Russian Mob. She coerces Phil into a relationship while Phil and Penny get together. Yet Penny has an unexplained side and Phil can't bring himself to be completely honest either. Phil tries to break off his relationship with Gloria but the Feds step in and force him to be a mole. Russian mob thugs browbeat him simultaneously into staying with Gloria while all the while Phil's heart is with Penny. Jim Pence complicates the Russian connection by buying a Russian mail order bride through the same mob. A backdrop to all this is Phil getting caught up watch the reality TV show 'Big Knuckles." It is about two giants who marry and try to start a family but cannot because of the man's misshapen sperm. Phil gets the idea to donate his sperm and makes it on the show, which eventually leads to a new life for him and Penny. Big Knuckles is filled with moments both touching and absurd.