Joan Cusack
Angela de Marco is fed up with her gangster husband’s line of work and wants no part of the crime world. When her husband is killed for having an affair with the mistress of mob boss Tony “The Tiger” Russo, Angela and her son depart for New York City to make a fresh start. Unfortunately, Tony has set his sights upon Angela — and so has an undercover FBI agent looking to use her to bust Tony.
Witty, romantic look at life in the corporate jungle. Tess McGill is an ambitious secretary with a unique approach for climbing the ladder to success. When her classy, but villainous boss breaks a leg skiing, Tess takes over her office, her apartment and even her wardrobe. She creates a deal with a handsome investment banker that will either take her to the top, or finish her off for good.
A midwestern teacher questions his sexuality after a former student makes a comment about him at the Academy Awards.
Basket-case network news producer Jane Craig falls for new reporter Tom Grunnick, a pretty boy who represents the trend towards entertainment news she despises. Aaron Altman, a talented but plain correspondent, carries an unrequited torch for Jane. Sparks fly between the three as the network prepares for big changes, and both the news and Jane must decide between style and substance.
Clifford Peach (Chris Makepeace), an easygoing teenager, is finding less than easy to fit in at his new high school, where a tough-talking bully (Matt Dillon) terrorizes his classmates and extorts their lunch money. Refusing to pay up, Clifford enlist the aid of an overgrown misfit whose mere presence intimidates students and teachers alike. But their “business relationship” soon turns personal as Clifford and the troubled loner forge a winning alliance against their intimidators – and a very special friendship with each other. Ruth Gordon, Martin Mull, Joan Cusack and John Houseman round out “a truly remarkable cast” (Variety) in this delightful coming-of-age comedy and triumphant tribute to the underdog.