It stars Jim O'Heir as Lenny, an unfunny, aspiring standup comedian who, on a road trip to Las Vegas, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker, played by Andrew J.

Believing himself responsible for the death of a heckler, Lenny publicly confesses, becoming an instant hit for what audiences perceive as transgressive humor.

After the death of his beloved mother, middle-aged Peoria accountant Lenny Freeman quits his job to follow his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian.

Freeman, an obsessive fan of vaudeville and other early 20th century comedy, becomes confused by the more obnoxious and transgressive humor preferred by the people he meets.

Freeman follows T-Bird, the town's most popular comic, and bombs horribly, alienating the audience with his stale jokes and clean-cut persona.

Although relieved that he is not a murderer, Freeman panics over the growing body count, as Hitch robs local stores to pay off a debt to Monte Guy.

Freeman fantasizes that she expresses her love, and that the talent scout witnessed this as part of "performance art comedy" and drove them to Las Vegas where they married, and he becomes a star on Monte Guy's show.

[5] Tom Keogh of The Seattle Times rated it 3/4 stars and described it as a film that initially seems to be a simple comedy but turns into a "deranged farce".

[6] Middle Man won the Grand Jury Prize for New American Cinema at the Seattle International Film Festival.