Overview

After squandering his grant money, despondent and recently widowed anthropologist James Krippendorf must produce hard evidence of the existence of a heretofore undiscovered New Guinea tribe. Grass skirts, makeup, and staged rituals transform his three troubled children into the Shelmikedmu, a primitive culture whose habits enthrall scholars. But when a spiteful rival threatens to blow the whistle on Krippendorf's ruse, he gets into the act as well.

Cast

Richard Dreyfuss

Prof. Krippendorf

Jenna Elfman

Veronica

Zakes Mokae

Sulukim

Siobhan Fallon Hogan

Lori

Natasha Lyonne

Shelly

Gregory Smith

Mickey

Lily Tomlin

Ruth Allen

Stephen Root

Gerald Adams

Elaine Stritch

Irene Hargrove

Mila Kunis

Abbey Tournquist

David Ogden Stiers

Henry Spivey

Doris Belack

President Porter