The Pope of Greenwich Village Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two lovable losers steal mob money to bet on a horse, then accidentally become temporary folk heroes by poisoning a bad guy with coffee, proving crime DOES pay… sometimes.

🍿 The Pope of Greenwich Village: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Losing Their Jobs

Charlie, a maitre’d, and Paulie, a waiter, are cousins working in a Little Italy restaurant. Paulie is caught stealing, resulting in both of them being fired. Charlie is furious, as he’s more responsible and dreams of owning his own restaurant. This sets the stage for their desperation and subsequent involvement in illegal activities.

Planning the Heist

Facing unemployment and financial pressures, Paulie proposes a plan to rob a safe he believes contains a large sum of money. He convinces Charlie to join him, along with a safe cracker named Barney. Charlie, hoping to secure funds for his dream restaurant and support his pregnant girlfriend, reluctantly agrees. The planning phase showcases their naivety and lack of experience.

The Robbery Gone Wrong

The robbery takes place, but they soon discover the money belongs to a local mafia boss, “Bed Bug” Eddie. During the heist, a corrupt cop is accidentally killed, further complicating their situation. Charlie manages to grab an audio tape the cop was carrying. The cousins are now entangled with both the mob and the police, facing dire consequences.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charlie (Mickey Rourke): A maître-d with aspirations of owning a restaurant, Charlie gets entangled in criminal schemes due to his loyalty to his troublesome cousin.
• Paulie (Eric Roberts): A perpetually scheming waiter and Charlie’s cousin, Paulie’s get-rich-quick plans lead them into dangerous situations.
• Diane (Daryl Hannah): Charlie’s pregnant girlfriend, Diane struggles with his involvement in illegal activities and his relationship with Paulie.
• Bed Bug Eddie (Burt Young): A ruthless mafia boss whose money is stolen, prompting a vengeful pursuit of Charlie and Paulie.
• Barney (Kenneth McMillan): A middle-aged safecracker who assists Charlie and Paulie in their ill-fated robbery, facing severe consequences.
• Mrs. Ritter (Geraldine Page): The tough, street-smart mother of a crooked cop who was accidentally killed during the robbery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Paulie: “Charlie! They took my thumb!” – Paulie’s iconic, frantic reaction after the mob punishes him for the robbery.
• Charlie: “Sometimes, you just gotta cowboy it, Challuch.” – Charlie’s advice to Paulie, suggesting a reckless approach to solving their problems.
• Paulie: “Salutz Challutzzz!” – Paulie toasts Charlie at the bar, displaying their carefree and somewhat reckless attitude.
• Charlie: “Come over here…wait, don’t come over here.” – Charlie realizes Diane is pregnant as he starts to lose his temper.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,836,201
• Worldwide Gross: $6,836,291

💥 The Pope of Greenwich Village Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! The performances by Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts were incredible. I felt like I was right there in Little Italy with them. The scene where Paulie loses his thumb is both hilarious and disturbing. I’ve watched it multiple times, and it still gets me every time! The blend of humor and crime is perfect. I highly recommend it if you want a truly engaging movie experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Those who enjoy films set in New York City”
  • “People who appreciate 1980s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “”The Pope of Greenwich Village” is a gritty and humorous crime drama that captures the essence of Little Italy. Rourke and Roberts deliver powerful performances, making it a must-see for fans of the genre. The film’s authenticity and character-driven narrative set it apart.
• Variety: “Stuart Rosenberg’s direction brings a unique flavor to the crime genre, showcasing the volatile relationship between Rourke and Roberts. Geraldine Page’s supporting role is a standout. While the plot has some slow moments, the performances make it worthwhile.
• RogerEbert.com: “While the story may be an excuse for showboat performances, the acting is superb. The film offers a glimpse into a world rarely seen with such raw honesty. Rourke and Roberts are great.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Rourke and Roberts is electric; their banter and interactions make the film incredibly entertaining.: Viewers consistently praise the acting, especially the performances by Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts, highlighting their believable portrayal of cousins caught in a dangerous situation.

The film’s gritty portrayal of Little Italy and its characters resonates with audiences, creating an authentic and immersive experience.: The film is regarded as an underappreciated gem of the 1980s, with many viewers discovering it years after its release and being impressed by its quality.

Overall Consensus: A highly entertaining crime drama with standout performances and an authentic portrayal of Little Italy.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) worked on the film uncredited.”
• “Geraldine Page’s Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress was for only approximately eight minutes of screen time.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Pope of Greenwich Village?

Currently, “The Pope of Greenwich Village” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. Check JustWatch for updated streaming service availablity.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Pope of Greenwich Village, you might like these similar films:

• Mean Streets (1973): A classic Scorsese film about small-time criminals in Little Italy, exploring similar themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of crime.
• Goodfellas (1990): Another Scorsese masterpiece chronicling the rise and fall of mobsters, with a focus on the allure and dangers of the criminal lifestyle.
• A Bronx Tale (1993): Set in the Bronx, this coming-of-age story explores similar themes of family, loyalty, and the choices one makes in a tough neighborhood.
• Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974): Features a similar buddy dynamic with light and dark tones, set in the backdrop of a crime caper, much like the relationship between Charlie and Paulie.

🛒 The Pope of Greenwich Village Related Products

• The Pope of Greenwich Village [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of the film, offering enhanced picture and sound quality for a better viewing experience. A must-have for collectors.
• Mickey Rourke: The Essential Collection [DVD]: Features several of Mickey Rourke’s iconic roles, including The Pope of Greenwich Village. See Rourke at his finest.
• Eric Roberts Signed Photo: A limited-edition, autographed photo of Eric Roberts as Paulie in “The Pope of Greenwich Village”. A great addition to any movie memorabilia collection.
• “They Took My Thumb, Charlie!” T-Shirt: A funny t-shirt featuring the iconic quote from the movie. High-quality print and comfortable fabric.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Pope of Greenwich Village features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Summer Wind” – performed by Frank Sinatra
• “Italian Suite” – performed by Dave Grusin
• “I Have But One Heart” – performed by Al Martino

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Classic Mickey Rourke Scenes

Want to see Mickey Rourke in action in ‘The Pope of Greenwich Village’? This video highlights some of his best moments from that film and others, and honestly, it’s a great reminder of how good he was!

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