Robert Carlyle - forever etched in most moviegoers' memories as the psychopathic Begby in Trainspotting - is a jobless steel worker, Gaz, who dreams up an outrageous scheme to pull himself and mates out of the personal and financial doldrums of long term unemployment. Gaz is first seen trying to nick girders from the shut down foundry he was retrenched from, with a little help from his preteen son. When, drenched and unsuccessful, he trudges home, Gaz has a bright idea when he sees the adula­tion and, more importantly, the cash that is showered upon a Chippendales strip troupe who are appearing at a local club.

Thus begins a comic odyssey as Gaz rounds up willing and reticent participants for a revue to be named 'The Full Monty' - a collection of pigeon chested, pot bellied, chain smoking, heavy drinking, pale, wrinkly middle aged stippers with one solitary gimmick: it all comes off!