New York City, 1994: a city pulsing with hip hop, a city whose new mayor, Rudy Giuliani, is using controversial methods to address homelessness and crime. Much like the city, Luke (Josh Peck) and Dr. Squires (Sir Ben Kingsley) are at a crossroads: Luke considers himself semi-suicidal, bemoaning his high school social status and the fact that his family is on the verge of eviction; Dr. Squires and his rehab-addicted wife (Famke Janssen) can barely tolerate each other. Together, Luke and Squires agree to help each other find happiness. When Luke identifies medication as his salvation, Dr. Squires chides him, ‘‘Don’t go for the quick fix. This whole city wants a quick fix.’’.