New York Minute 2004

In the wake of their mother’s death, 17-year-old twins Jane and Roxy Ryan find themselves navigating through starkly contrasting lives. While Jane is a methodical perfectionist driven by her ambitions, Roxy is a carefree aspiring rock star, and their distinct lifestyles create a disharmony in their shared world with their widowed father in Syosset, Long Island. The twins set off on an adventurous trip to New York City; Jane is determined to give a crucial speech for a coveted college scholarship, while Roxy dreams of handing over her band’s demo tape to the band Simple Plan, who are in town for a music video shoot.

Their differences become apparent as they board the train to Manhattan, only to face a setback when Roxy is caught traveling without a ticket. Jane’s fleeting attempt at charm towards a fellow passenger, Jim, is complicated when a tracking chip is mistakenly placed in Roxy’s bag. Enter Bennie Bang, a cunning character who lures Roxy into a luxurious ride, and she, in turn, insists on dragging Jane along for the unconventional journey. This wild escapade sees them escape through the sunroof into the subway, catching the eye of Max Lomax, the overly eager truant officer bent on capturing Roxy.

As tensions flare between the sisters, Jane panics upon realizing she has left her important day planner in Bennie’s limousine, a critical item containing necessary speech details and a significant amount of cash. To retrieve it, they hilariously break into a lavish hotel room, where they cross paths with Trey, the charmer son of a powerful senator, and his devoted dog, Reinaldo. A phone call from Bennie suggests an exchange: Jane’s day planner for the chip. However, the plan derails when Reinaldo unknowingly swallows the chip instead.

With their plans spiraling, Roxy heads off to the filming of the Simple Plan video, pursued by Max, while Jane tries to reason with Bennie in hopes of getting her planner back. A shocking twist occurs when Bennie discovers Reinaldo’s situation and makes a move on Jane, prompting her to search for Roxy while inadvertently involving Trey in the chaos. The trio finds themselves stuck in the dim underbelly of the city, with Jane’s speech deadline looming ominously.

Seeking a moment of reprieve, the twins visit a vibrant Harlem beauty salon for makeovers that reflect their personalities. Yet, with Max still on their tail, the sisters’ escape culminates in a fierce argument, revealing their emotional struggles. Jane feels abandoned by Roxy since their mother’s passing, while Roxy accuses Jane of being overly burdened by responsibility. As time runs short, they must set aside their differences to overcome the pandemonium that entangles them.

When Jane finally reaches the designated meeting place, she encounters Bennie, who reveals his mother as the brains behind an illicit DVD and CD operation. Meanwhile, Roxy stealthily infiltrates Bennie’s limousine, retrieves Jane’s planner, and liberates Trey from the trunk. The trio rushes towards the venue where Jane is expected to speak, racing against time.

Upon their arrival, Roxy adopts Jane’s identity on stage. In a whirlwind of charisma, she captivates the audience with an impromptu presentation, though it takes a turn for the frantic when she accidentally drops her cue cards. In a moment of synchronicity, Jane arrives just in time to explain her absence, as Max and Bennie burst in, exposing Bennie’s underhanded enterprise to the public summons.

As authorities close in on Bennie, Jane and Roxy make their escape but encounter one of the judges who recognizes Jane’s extraordinary effort and presents her with a coveted full-ride scholarship to Oxford University. Fast forward a few months, Roxy finds herself in the recording studio jamming with her band, while Jane, Trey, Jim, and even Max, who has donned a police officer’s badge, bask in the glow of their achievements, reflecting on the triumph they have collectively earned.