During the summer of 1977, a killer known as the Son of Sam keeps all of New York City on edge with a series of brutal murders.

Countless wiseguy films are spoofed in this film that centers on the neuroses and angst of a powerful Mafia racketeer who suffers from panic attacks. When Paul Vitti needs help dealing with his role in the "family," unlucky shrink Dr. Ben Sobel is given just days to resolve Vitti's emotional crisis and turn him into a happy, well-adjusted gangster.

A midwestern teacher questions his sexuality after a former student makes a comment about him at the Academy Awards.