An Inuit hunter races his sled home with a fresh-caught halibut. This fish pervades the entire film, in real and imaginary form. Meanwhile, Axel tags fish in New York as a naturalist's gofer. He's happy there, but a messenger arrives to bring him to Arizona for his uncle's wedding. It's a ruse to get Axel into the family business. In Arizona, Axel meets two odd women: vivacious, needy, and plagued by neuroses and familial discord. He gets romantically involved with one, while the other, rich but depressed, plays accordion tunes to a gaggle of pet turtles.
Johnny Depp
as Axel Blackmar
Jerry Lewis
as Leo Sweetie
Faye Dunaway
as Elaine Stalker
Lili Taylor
as Grace Stalker
Vincent Gallo
as Paul Leger
Paulina Porizkova
as Millie
Michael J. Pollard
as Fabian
Polly Noonan
as Betty
Tricia Leigh Fisher
as Lindy (uncredited)
Candyce Mason
as Blanche
Alexia Rane
as Angie
Ann Schulman
as Carla
