Prizzi's Honor (1985)
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88% of critics liked it
(33 reviews) -
60% of users liked it
(7,507 ratings)
Richard Condon's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters, as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna (Jack… More Richard Condon's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters, as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), a Prizzi hit man, is not quite so honorable, at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding, he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner). Supposedly a tax consultant, Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley--and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis, Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma: does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously, Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter-of-fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession; in the movie's most memorable scene, the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica, playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast-off girl friend. The win made Anjelica, John, and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Huston
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 13, 1985 Wide
- Studio
- Fox
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
John Huston's Prizzi's Honor packs love, sex, and murder -- and dark comedy -- into a labyrinthine tale.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
As usual, Turner works hard and manages to lend some conviction to a shoddily written part, but she can't connect with Nicholson, whose obscure hamminess leaves him isolated on some other planet.
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, Time Out
A very stylish walk with love and death.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This is the most bizarre comedy in many a month, a movie so dark, so cynical and so funny that perhaps only Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner could have kept straight faces during the love scenes.
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Wesley Lovell, Cinema Sight
Almost every possible mob film has been made, but this one still feels inventive and engaging.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Nicholson
as Charley Partanna
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Kathleen Turner
as Irene Walker
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Anjelica Huston
as Maerose Prizzi
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William Hickey
as Don Corrado Prizzi
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Robert Loggia
as Eduardo Prizzi
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John Randolph
as Angelo "Pop" Partanna
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Lee Richardson
as Dominic Prizzi
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Michael Lombard
as Filargi "Finlay"
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Lawrence Tierney
as Lieutenant Hanley
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Joseph Ruskin
as Marxie Heller
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Ann Selepegno
as Amalia Prizzi
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Erasmus C. Alfano
as Cigar Smoker
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Seth Allen
as Gomsky
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Tomasino Baratta
as Opera Singer
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Dominic Barto
as Presto Ciglione
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Sully Boyar
as Casco Vascone
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Scott Campbell
as Groom at Mexican Chapel
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Henry Fehren
as Bishop
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Michael Fischetti
as Kiely
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Ray Iannicelli
as Photographer
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Debra Kelly
as Bride at Mexican Chapel
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Dick O'Neill
as Bluestone
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Vic Polizos
as Phil Vittimizzare
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CCH Pounder
as Peaches Altamont
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Beth Raines
as Airport Clerk
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George Santopietro
as Plumber
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Ray Serra
as Bocca
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Tom Signorelli
as Photographer
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Stanley Tucci
as Soldier
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Antonia Vasquez
as Theresa Prizzi
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Luis Accinelli
as Man at Mexican Wedding
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Jonathan L. Arland
as Man at Mexican Wedding
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Bill Brecht
as Cigar Smoker
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John Calvani
as Don's Bodyguard
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Kenneth Cervi
as Bodyguard
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Enzo Citarelli
as Priest
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John Codiglia
as Policeman
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Peter D'Arcy
as Cigar Smoker
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Danielle Frederick
as Woman at Mexican Wedding
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Alexandra Ivanoff
as Soprano in Church
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Joe Kopmar
as Cigar Smoker
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Thomas Lomonaco
as Cigar Smoker
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Skip O'Brien
as Bartender
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Michael Sabin
as Charley at 17
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Themi Sapountzakis
as Policeman
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Teddi Siddall
as Beulah
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Murray Staff
as Gallagher
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Theodore Theoharous
as Priest
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Michael Tuck
as Anchorman Fred
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Marlene Williams
as Mrs. Calhane
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Ruben Gonzalez
as Man at Mexican Wedding
