The story of an idealist's rise to power in the world of Louisiana politics and the corruption that leads to his ultimate downfall. Based on the 1946 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel written by Robert Penn Warren, loosely based on the story of real-life politician Huey Long.

A down and out loser, who dreams of life on the islands, joins a club that is the answer to his dreams; but when his friends start to die he must choose between pulling down the big bucks and bringing down a killer.