Clark Kellogg leaves his mother Liz and
environmental activist stepfather Dwight in
Vermont to go to
New York University (NYU) to study film. After arriving at
Grand Central Terminal, a man named Victor Ray offers to drive Clark and his luggage to his destination for $10. However, the second Clark steps out of Victor's car at the university, the latter drives off with his luggage still in the trunk. The following day, Clark goes to the office of Professor Fleeber, his instructor at NYU. He explains how he lost his money and belongings, but Fleeber is unsympathetic. Through the window, Clark notices Vic walking by and gives chase. After finally catching up to him, Clark demands the return of his money. Vic claims to have lost the money gambling, but still has most of Clark's clothes. After threatening to go to the police, Vic offers Clark a well-paying job as reimbursement. The following afternoon, Clark goes to a small
social club in
Little Italy, where he is introduced to Vic's uncle Carmine Sabatini, who bears an uncanny resemblance to
Vito Corleone in
The Godfather. Carmine offers Clark the opportunity to make a lot of money just for running small errands. The first is to pick up a
Komodo dragon from
JFK Airport and transport it to a specific address in New Jersey. Clark enlists the help of his NYU roommate Steve Bushak to pick up the lizard and deliver it to Larry London and his assistant Edward. Clark is also introduced to Carmine's daughter Tina who takes an immediate shine to him. Tina talks as if the two are soon to be married. A distracted Clark tries to pay attention in Fleeber's film class (where the professor shows clips of the 1974 film
The Godfather Part II), but he is soon being chased by agents Chuck Greenwald and Lloyd Simpson of the
Department of Justice. Upon being caught, Clark is told by Greenwald and Simpson that Carmine—also known as "Jimmy the Toucan"—not only is a
Mafia figure but runs the Fabulous Gourmet Club. It is an illicit and nomadic establishment, never holding its dinners in the same place twice, where (for enormous prices)
endangered animals are served as the main course, specially prepared by Larry London. Clark is told that "for the privilege of eating the very last of a species", a million dollars is charged. Clark finds out that Dwight listened in on a conversation with Liz. Right after Clark mentioned the Komodo dragon, Dwight contacted the Department of Justice. Carmine admits that the Gourmet Club exists, but tells Clark that Greenwald and Simpson are being bribed by the Bonelli crime family that wants both Carmine and Clark dead. While driving to the Gourmet Club, a plan is hatched to get Carmine out of the exotic animal business for good and to clear Clark. At the Gourmet Club's dinner, longtime
Miss America pageant host
Bert Parks sings a version of "There She Is" when the Komodo dragon is revealed. Clark steps outside to signal Greenwald and Simpson, who raid the club. Carmine is upset that Clark has ratted him out. Carmine pulls a gun, the two wrestle, and Carmine is apparently shot dead. Revealing their corruption, Greenwald and Simpson leave with a duffel bag filled with money, though they are soon caught by real
FBI agents and arrested for their crimes. Clark berates his stepfather who leaves. Carmine then gets up off the floor, having faked his death. Larry London reveals tonight's expensive and exotic dinner is actually Hawaiian
tigerfish mixed with smoked turkey from Virginia, not endangered species (a long-running con of Carmine's, swindling the rich out of their money). The endangered animals will be in fact housed in the new Carmine Sabatini Endangered Species Wing at the
Bronx Zoo. Clark was hand-picked by Carmine, who was in fact working with the FBI, because they knew Clark's stepfather would contact the corrupt agents once he found out about Clark's "job". Tina's aggressive interest in Clark was an act as well, but she and Clark now share a mutual attraction. Carmine and Clark take the Komodo dragon for a walk, Carmine promising it will be taken safely to a new habitat at the zoo. As the credits start rolling, Carmine offers to help Clark make it in
Hollywood, having a few connections there. Clark says "Thanks, but no thanks" as they continue walking. ==Cast==