Flipper Purify (Wesley Snipes) is a successful, married African American man who works at an architectural firm in New York City. One day, an Italian American woman named Angela "Angie" Tucci (Annabella Sciorra) is hired as a temporary secretary at the place. Flipper complains to his partners Jerry (Tim Robbins) and Leslie (Brad Dourif) about wanting an African American secretary; they tell him that they want "the best human being for the job."

It was Spike Lee's fifth feature-length film.

starring
Wesley Snipes__ Flipper Purify
Annabella Sciorra__ Angela "Angie" Tucci
Spike Lee__ Cyrus
Ossie Davis__ Mr. Purify
Ruby Dee__ Mrs. Purify
Samuel L. Jackson__ "Gator" Purify
Lonette McKee__ Drew
John Turturro__ Paulie Carbone
Frank Vincent__ Mike Tucci
Anthony Quinn__ Lou Carbone
Halle Berry__ Vivian
Tyra Ferrell__ Orin Goode
Veronica Webb__ Vera
David Dundara__ Charlie Tucci
Michael Imperioli__ James Tucci
Nicholas Turturro__ Vinny
Michael Badalucco__ Frankie Botz
Debi Mazar__ Denise
Gina Mastrogiacomo__ Louise
Tim Robbins__ Jerry
Brad Dourif__ Leslie
Theresa Randle__ Inez
Miguel Sandoval__ Officer Ponte
Charlie Murphy__ Livin' Large
Grand Bush__ Friend of Gator
Doug E. Doug__ Friend of Livin' Large
Queen Latifah__ LaShawn.