The Associate

The Associate is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Donald Petrie and written by Nick Thiel. The film, a remake of Ren Gainvilles 1979 French film of the same name, which, in turn, was based on Jenaro Prietos 1928 novel The Partner, stars Whoopi Goldberg, Dianne Wiest, Eli Wallach, Tim Daly, and Bebe Neuwirth, alongside Austin Pendleton and Lainie Kazan.

However, the ruse eventually runs into problems, as Cutty is still getting credit for Ayres great ideas, and competing firms and tabloid journalists are willing to do anything in order to bring the wealthy and elusive Cutty into the public and on their side. Thus Ayres is forced to get her best friend who works at a nightclub as a female impersonator to create an effective disguise in the mould of Marlon Brando to try to fool the naysayers when that fails, she and Dugan decide to kill Cutty only to be charged with his murder. Frank uncovers the ruse and pretends that he is now the front man to worldfamous Cutty.The film ends with Ayres donning the Cutty disguise one last time to attend a meeting of the exclusive gentlemens club to accept Cuttys awards and unmasking herself in order to teach the maledominated industry the evils of racial and sexual discrimination. Ayres is finally given credit for her work and creates a huge business empire with her friends at the helm. Frank attempts to land a job with the business, only to be laughed off. ........

Source: Wikipedia