Synopsis: Based on the book "Rudy!: An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani" by Village Voice editor Wayne Barrett, Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story is a no-holds-barred look at the often-tumultuous life of one of New York City's most controversial and influential figures.

The story begins with a look at Giuliani (James Woods) as young, brash attorney working for the Justice Department under Ronald Reagan in Washington, D.C. It was here that he began to hone his aggressive legal and political skills - and where he first met and courted an ambitious reporter named Donna Hanover (Penelope Ann Miller), who eventually became his second wife.

Giuliani's ascent into the public eye begins when the couple moves to New York City, where Giuliani is appointed to be a U.S. District Attorney. Using the powers of his office to their fullest extent, Giuliani goes after the New York City Mob and corruption on Wall Street with a take-no-prisoners attitude. But it's not long before he sets sights on an even bigger challenge: running the city of New York.

After entering the 1989 mayoral race, Giuliani suffers a painful defeat to political rival David Dinkins by an incredibly slim margin. However, Giuliani is undeterred, and vows to win the position he covets at any cost. Casting his hat into the mayoral race for a second time (and running what some claimed was a politically divisive campaign), Giuliani's campaign to become mayor is finally a success, and he defeats his one-time rival Dinkins.

As mayor, Giuliani soon develops a love/hate relationship with the people of New York. He eventually wins a second term in office, but along the way he endures a series of bruising political fights with people both inside and outside of his inner circle. And after his declaration of a moral war on New York City, Giuliani himself is riddled with moral scandals involving marital infidelity and dark secrets from his past, tarnishing his reputation.

As Giuliani's second term as mayor (and his time in office, due to term limits) begins to approach its end, Giuliani's chapter in the history of New York City seems destined to draw quietly to a close. But Giuliani is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight once again, and he becomes an international hero after pulling New York City together in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Giuliani's deft handling of the crisis is applauded by all, as his calm and confident leadership in the face of horrible tragedy re-energizes the city and raises the spirits of a nation under siege. By the end of his term, Giuliani is firmly established as a national leader and an American icon.

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