In a surprising twist of fate, Corky Romano (Chris Kattan), a veterinary technician who had become estranged from his family after his mother’s death, finds himself unexpectedly drawn back into their chaotic lives. His father, "Pops" (Peter Falk), a formidable Mafia crime lord under indictment for racketeering, reaches out to him in desperation, realizing that the only way to dismantle the overwhelming evidence against him is to target the FBI’s files directly.
Inside the family mansion where Pops is bedridden, he persuades Corky to go undercover at the local FBI office, capitalizing on the unfortunate situation that prevents anyone with known Mafia ties from joining in the family’s covert operations. With the help of a savvy computer hacker, Corky adopts a phony identity, dubbing himself “Agent Corky Pissant.” As he gains access to the FBI premises, he encounters office chief Howard Schuster (Richard Roundtree), who, baffled yet impressed by Corky's seemingly stellar qualifications, claims, > “According to your résumé, you graduated from Harvard, speak five languages, are an expert sharpshooter, and boast extensive martial arts training.”
As Corky undertakes several misguided assignments, he unwittingly begins to address significant investigations, including those surrounding the infamous Night Vulture, a heroin dealer notorious enough to occupy the sixth spot on the FBI's Most Wanted List. Each of his blunders is mistakenly viewed as clever tactics by his peers, resulting in growing admiration from the media, though Agent Brick Davis (Matthew Glave) remains a constant thorn, suspicious and envious of Corky’s unexpected success.
Amidst these antics, Corky’s heart intertwines with that of Kate Russo (Vinessa Shaw), an FBI agent who initially seems indifferent to him. Their paths coincide unexpectedly at the Romano mansion, where she is undercover, further complicating Corky's life. Convincing her of his own undercover role, Corky befriends agents Bob Cox (Roger Fan) and Terrence Darnell (Dave Sheridan). However, when they are captured during an attempt to infiltrate one of Pops' illicit casinos, Corky leaps into action, rescuing them but exposing himself in the process, leading bouncers to reveal his familial ties to the organized crime world.
The stakes rise when Corky stumbles upon shocking evidence revealing Pops’ alleged involvement in several murders, sending him into a whirlwind of doubt and disillusionment. A confrontation with Pops brings accusations and denials, forcing Corky to dig into his family’s history, ultimately uncovering a shocking reality—he is indeed a Romano by blood, not the FBI agent he pretended to be. Just as the FBI descends upon the Romano mansion, it becomes clear that a family friend, Leo Corrigan (Fred Ward), has been secretly feeding the agency false information. Even more shocking is the revelation that the infamous Night Vulture is none other than Brick Davis himself, setting the stage for an explosive showdown where Corky ultimately takes decisive action against his former ally and rescues his family legacy.
In the aftermath of this whirlwind adventure, Corky and Kate solidify their bond by tying the knot, driving forward into a future that shines brightly for them both—symbolized as they cruise off into the sunset in Corky's beloved orange Mazda Miata. Returning to the veterinary clinic where his journey began, a proud Corky receives the keys to the business from his former boss, marking his transformation and newfound purpose as he steps into his future surrounded by the love of his family.
