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

Directed by:
John Huston

Written by:
Richard Condon (also novel)
Janet Roach (screenplay)

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), Anjelica Huston (Maerose Prizzi), Michael Lombard (Filargi ‘Finlay’), George Santopietro (Plumber), Lawrence Tierney (Lt. Hanley)

Don Corrado Prizzi is the old but powerful boss of Chicago’s biggest mob family. Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson) is one of his most trusted soldiers. During the wedding of the Don’s granddaughter, Charley is struck by the only non-Italian woman at the party.

After the wedding, Charley tracks her down. Her name is Irene, and they hit it off immediately. It isn’t long before they marry. Only after a while does Charley discover that Irene is not who she claims to be. Meanwhile, certain members of the Prizzi family have agendas of their own. A complex web of intrigue begins to unfold, and Charley is forced to choose between Irene and the family he swore to protect.

This late film by John Huston is not nearly as effective as his earlier crime work. Its biggest problem is that it never commits to a main genre: it lacks the joke density of a comedy, the tension of a thriller, and the atmosphere of a mob film. The slightly bizarre and somewhat confusing story remains entertaining, but one has to wonder what the point of it all is.
Is this a film about family, loyalty, blood, and betrayal? If so, it must be said that it never quite finds the right tone, except during its excellent opening minutes.

Luckily, there is Jack Nicholson, who once again shows what a magnificent actor he is. Playing an Italian wiseguy may not be his specialty, but he certainly knows how to pull it off. The supporting cast delivers strong performances as well, which ultimately saves the film from failure. Huston has done much better, but it’s still worth checking out.

Rating:

Quote:
DON PRIZZI: “This drip of blood symbolises your birth into our family. We are one until death. We protect you, so that you protect the Prizzi honor. You swear it?”
CHARLEY: “Yeah.”

Trivia:
Anjelica Huston (Maerose Prizzi) is the daughter of director John Huston.