Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Turner has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister, whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Turner a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Danny DeVito, cousin of the principal villain (Zack Norman), has been assigned to claim the map from Turner. But upon arriving in Colombia, Turner and DeVito learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Turner is rescued by soldier of fortune Michael Douglas, who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Douglas and Turner undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel, which changes hands (one of them severed!) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Turner manages to break free from her pursuers, but Douglas is presumed dead. Douglas returns at the end of the film in Manhatten to surprise Turner. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's Jewel of the Nile. nages to break free from her pursuers, but Douglas is presumed dead. Douglas returns at the end of the film in Manhatten to suprise Tuner. The sequel to Romancing the Stone, 1985's Jewel of the Nile. Its nonstop action aside, the real joy of Romancing the Stone is watching Kathleen Turner's inevitable transformation from spectacled drudge to va-va-va-voom sex symbol.