Plot Synopsis

Based on the children's book by Steve Schirripa and Charles Fleming. In suburban Michigan, a nerdy and over-protected teen, Nicholas Borelli II, can't wait to attend a summer math camp, but when his plans go awry, his traveling parents have no choice but to send him to Brooklyn, NY to stay with his Grandma Tutti and his tough Uncle Frankie, who he's never met. At first look, one may think there's something awfully fishy about Uncle Frankie; he's tough as nails, but everyone in the community loves and respects him. Although Nicholas swears his uncle is a wise-guy up to no good, it doesn't stop him from wanting to get closer to him, even if his dad instructed him to stay away. At first, Nick leans on local kids to help him fit in and winds up mistakenly earning a reputation as a tough guy. He also becomes smitten with the sharp-witted and beautiful Donna, and a strong bond begins to form between them when she embarks on a mission to help him shed his geeky image in exchange for a little tutoring. Nick spies his uncle receiving hushed messages on a bright red phone, which Frankie warns him never to touch. But Nicky reasons that now is the time to become a man. When the phone rings, he picks it up. Nervously christening himself "Nicky Deuce," he offers himself up for one of big boss Paulie's missions. He soon uncovers family secrets and learns that the mean streets of Brooklyn aren't always what they seem.