Prizzi's Honor (1985)

A professional hit man and hit woman fall in love.

Director:

John Huston

Writers:

Richard Condon (novel), Richard Condon (screenplay),

Stars:

Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Robert Loggia

Won 1 Oscar. Another 30 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Charley Partanna is a hit-man who works for the Prizzis, one of the richest crime syndicate families in the country. Unbeknownst to Charley,the Prizzis just hired Irene Walker, a free-lance killer, to eliminate someone who double-crossed them. When Irene and Charley fall in love their jobs become complicated. Their jobs become impossible when each is given a contract that neither can go through with.

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Plot Keywords:

love | strip club | el train | mafia | three brothers | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

El honor de los Prizzi

Filming Locations:

3 Pierrepont Place, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$26,700,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ABC Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Huston's Best Director Academy Award nomination for this film made him the oldest ever to be Oscar nominated for directing. Huston was 79 and the record still stands [August 2012].

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Goofs

When Charley and Irene are in her convertible, the shadow from the camera rig becomes visible on the road.

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Quotes

Charley Partanna: [annoyed] Marxie Heller so fuckin' smart, how come he's so fuckin' dead?

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Connections

Featured in John Huston: The Man, the Movies, the Maverick (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Overture to 'La Gazza ladra'"
Composed by Gioachino Rossini

User Reviews

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