Xander Stuart, 30, is a handsome, ripped, TV actor working as the lead in a freshman series.Xander’s Hollywood dream is slowly melting into a nightmare; his series is on the cusp of cancellation, and his entertainer girlfriend, Danielle, is the poster child for vapid self-obsession.
When Maggie Bohem, a Hollywood “outsider” witnesses his serious on-set injury, she hatches a rescue plan.Maggie enlists the help of Nina, Candy, and Brynn, her best friends and members of Xander’s web-based fan following.As Maggie dispels the myth of “star treatment,” they gather their resources and talents for an intervention only they can deliver.
Hilarity ensues when they abduct Xander from a holistic health clinic to a secluded safe house.While Candy and Brynn take a circuitous route in Xander’s car to deliver the ransom demand, Maggie and Nina are faced with transferring their sedated guest.
Xander is confused upon awakening in an unfamiliar bed. Who did he go home with last night?The mystery is soon compounded when, seeking his “date,” he meets the four mid-fifties women in the kitchen.
Forced to reveal there has been no “date,” the women admit they’ve kidnapped him.As his temper flares, the television breaks the news of the kidnapping and the ransom message:
“We have Xander Stuart.We won't release him until the following demands are met:Time off to heal his back injury.Use a stunt double until he's well.Hire and retain a Showrunner.Sign a contract with these stipulations and email it to I Treated Xander Badly at g-mail. com.”
Xander is incredulous at their hutzpah and in awe of their follow-through.Though he wants to take a physical stand to insist upon his freedom, his pain and physical condition prevents him.He insists to the women that his television series and the lead in a blockbuster remake of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are dependent upon him being on set.
The skeptical LAPD, faced with the public ransom demands, focus on Danielle, with more than professional zeal.They rebuff the FBI, saying they believe “the kidnapping” to be a publicity stunt.
Nina, a holistic healer and nurse practitioner, works to heal Xander’s body as the others entertain, cajole and distract him.Despite their efforts to win cooperation, Xander begins to plot many unsuccessful, always humorous, escape attempts.Danielle’s public denouncement of their relationship detonates his temper and ignites his most serious escape attempt.When faced with its failure, Candy’s words are admonitions for his acceptance of the healing process.
Still smarting from his Danielle’s, public betrayal, Xander and the women are surprised when heartbreak drives Maggie’s saucy co-ed daughter, Margo, to join her mother.The two young people, both on the rebound, are immediately drawn to each other.
Xander’s health recovers, his show ratings soar, and the fresh allure of romancing Margo burns away the days.The studio is desperate to get him back into production while public curiosity is high.Police detectives continue their misguided investigation of Danielle, finding her looks more satisfying than clues. The show’s unbalanced Producer, John Smith, sends a Mafia enforcer to find Xander and “encourage” his return.
The women realize that Smith’s arrogance has blocked progress.Their next appeal goes to the Studio’s CEO, Avery Anderson.Anderson has already approved the contract, and is livid when she finds Smith has undermined her decision.Anderson’s next step is to remove him as Producer, take over the show, and sign the contract.
Smith, out of a job, and out of power, strikes back with a call to ET, discrediting Xander and humiliating the studio.The ET Reporter, drawn in by Smith, broadcasts the “scoop” on air: Xander’s been removed from the cast of Butch and Sundance, and his series will be canceled.
Xander sees the late night ET broadcast and is enraged to a new level of desperation.His regained fitness allows his greatest escape attempt, however, he is thwarted by geography. The women find the sun rising over a livid Xander, ready to fire angry threats at his captures. He charges their plan has cost him his TV show and the film role.
To the astonishment of her fellow kidnappers, as well as Xander, Brynn is forced to admit that she is one of the Producers behind the Butch and Sundance.She knows for a fact his role is not being recast, and voices doubt that his series is in jeopardy.As the group digests Brynn’s revelation, Candy discovers they’ve received the signed contract and the ordeal is over.
Xander hitches a ride back to LA with Margo while the women close up their lair.Within hours all are witness to the breaking news: Danielle is in custody charged with Xander’s kidnapping.
Concurrently, Xander immediately seeks to clear her name, while the women agree to surrender rather than let her be falsely charged. Enroute to the Court House, Brynn’s attorney counsels them to remain silent while he represents them.
Meanwhile, Xander insists to the Authorities, that Danielle was not involved.He’s determined to have Danielle released, while at the same time protecting the women from prosecution.Danielle is released when Xander discredits the circumstantial evidence against her.The police raise suspicions about the women, but Xander’s denials, and their powerful attorney’s protection forestalls an arrest.
A year passes and Xander navigates the red carpet in the much anticipated opening of Butch and Sundance.Close to his side is Margo, and joining them are his four “Fairy Godmothers” the ladies who have become the backbone of Accidental Success Productions.
The next morning another unknown actor scans The Hollywood Reporter and remarks on the feature interview headline, “Butch and Sundance hit box office gold! Every actor needs a team of Fairy Godmothers, says Stuart.”The camera pans down to a personal management advertisement:“Accidental Success Productions.Don’t be held hostage by Hollywood.”
