the three main character be totally different from each other . at a picnic they probably would have little to say to each other . but all three just arrive by plane in ny and from war and on 30 day army leave and and be about to catch plane to their eventual destination . but something happens and a regional power outage have cause flight delay and cancellation . so they end up unlikely companion on a road trip . they be the lucky one and they be still alive . tim robbins be sgt fred cheaver and actually get out of the military and on his way home to st louis . he rent the last available car and take along the two other soldier to share expense and drive . they will catch plane from st louis . rachel mcadams be colee dunn and country girl and unsophisticated and unfiltered and she say whatever cross her mind . she have be wound in the leg and have a limp . michael peña be t. k. poole . he be also wound and but in an embarrassing place and his male private part . some of the funny scene occur when colee try to get him help for his ( hopefully temporary ) ed . the three actor be very good here and their interaction be interest . i find myself want to own the dvd so that i can re watch it periodically . update represent i just watch it again after almost 2 month and enjoy it a much the second time . spoiler represent cheaver arrive home to a standoff ish wife and she have decide she will be happy single . at the same time their son announces he have be accept at stanford but need $ 20 and 000 within 3 week to hold his place . colee boyfriend be kill and she be surprise the boy parent by deliver his guitar to them in la vega . the deceased soldier turn out to be a big fraud and with girlfriend and baby back home and and colee get to keep the guitar . cheaver try to win $ 20 and 000 in lv but fails and but re inlists for the $ 20 and 000 bonus . they all end up back together and about to be ship off to 3 separate fighting zone and not know if they ever will see each other again .