Prizzi's Honor (1985)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

John Huston

Writers:

Richard Condon (novel)
Richard Condon (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 June 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Hired killers by day. Devoted lovers by night. Until they found their next assignment was each other.

Plot:

A professional hit man and hit woman fall in love, only to discover that they have each been hired to kill the other.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Baby | Organized Crime | Apartment | Wedding Reception

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 24 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Charley Partanna
Kathleen Turner	...	Irene Walker
Robert Loggia	...	Eduardo Prizzi
John Randolph	...	Angelo 'Pop' Partanna
William Hickey	...	Don Corrado Prizzi
Lee Richardson	...	Dominic Prizzi
Michael Lombard	...	Rosario Filargi 'Finlay'
Anjelica Huston	...	Maerose Prizzi
George Santopietro	...	Plumber
Lawrence Tierney	...	Lt. Hanley
CCH Pounder	...	Peaches Altamont (as C.C.H. Pounder)
Ann Selepegno	...	Amalia Prizzi
Vic Polizos	...	Phil Vittimizzare
Dick O'Neill	...	Bluestone
Sully Boyar	...	Casco Vascone

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba) (re-rating) (2004) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) (original rating) | Iceland:14 | Hungary:16 | Spain:18 | Finland:K-15 (re rating: 2001) | France:U | Singapore:M18 | West Germany:12 (re-rated) | West Germany:16 (original rating) | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Spain:13 | Ireland:15

Filming Locations:

Alpine, New Jersey, USA

Company:

ABC Motion Pictures

Trivia:

Kay Lenz was originally cast as Irene.

Goofs:

Continuity: Irene Walker's red car often has the wax on various panels. When we first see the car the left-hand door is an unusual matt color while the rest of the car is buffed to a shiny finish. You can even see swirl marks in the door at it stops. Later when we see the car again we see it from the front left. The door is clearly polished this time but the front left wing isn't. Probably an attempt to hide the crew from reflecting in the cars bodywork.

Quotes:

Maerose Prizzi: So let's do it.
Charley Partanna: With all the lights on?
Maerose Prizzi: Yeah. Right here. On the Oriental. With all the lights on.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Spy Kids (2001)

Soundtrack:

O mio Babbino caro

Very Fine Dark Comedy

This movie is often good and funny, but sometimes 's not focused enough. The story tries to cover a lot of themes, genres, and plot implications which doesn't always work. The best parts are the ones which deal with Charlie/Irene complicated relationship, in which you never know for sure if she's manipulating him from the beginning or not. One funny thing was the homage to Mafia movies, such as The Godfather. Some lines really hit their targets, too (Well, it's not many if you consider the size of the population, comes to mind).

The acting is very good, and the best thing of the movie. Jack Nicholson plays an incredibly dumb character, that gets wonderfully developed by the end. He has a great comic timing. Kathleen Turner is very good, she has a great chemistry with Jack, and can look innocent and the moment after a total bitch. Besides, she ha a great, calm, sure delivery. Anjelica Huston is very funny playing mean / jealous / spoiled / manipulative/sweet, though lack of screen time hurts. The supporting are all great, and the one who plays the Don is hilarious, with his sadistic way of saying his lines.

The direction is simple, but has some original shots, it works with this material. It's mostly steady camera. The music creates a contrast; it's quite cheery and happy, and that makes the movie funnier. It's a very dark comedy in my opinion, and sometimes a romance drama. It's worth watching, and original, but not a masterpiece. 7.5/10