Mladenič Axel, ki so mu starši umrli v prometni nesreči, se najraje pogovarja z ribami. Njegov stric, uspešen trgovec z rabljenimi avtomobili, ga skuša na vsak način pridobiti za svojega naslednika. Zvabi ga v Arizono, kjer se Axel zaplete z dvema norima ženskama: vdovo, ki je sama ustrelila svojega moža, zdaj pa hoče leteti, in njeno pastorko, ki se želi reinkarnirati v želvo. Obe si ga skušata prilastiti, on pa bi rad samo izpolnil njune in svoje sanje.
An Innuit hunter races his sled home with a fresh-caught halibut. This fish pervades the entire film, in real and imaginary form. Meanwhile, Axel tags fish in New York as a naturalist's gofer. He's happy there, but a messenger arrives to bring him to Arizona for his uncle's wedding. It's a ruse to get Axel into the family business. In Arizona, Axel meets two odd women: vivacious, needy, and plagued by neuroses and familial discord. He gets romantically involved with one, while the other, rich but depressed, plays accordion tunes to a gaggle of pet turtles.