🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Landis
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Farce
- Release year: 1991
- Runtime (length): 1h 49min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (35K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 11%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A gangster tries to go straight, but his accountant, daughter, and a bag full of unmentionables keep tripping him up in one hilarious morning.
🍿 Oscar: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Promise and a New Beginning
Angelo ‘Snaps’ Provolone, a mob boss, promises his dying father to abandon his criminal life and become an honest man. A month later, he prepares for a meeting with bankers to donate his wealth and join the bank’s board of trustees. This sets the stage for a chaotic day filled with misunderstandings and comedic mishaps.

Complications Arise
Snaps’ accountant, Anthony Rossano, arrives seeking a raise to marry ‘Snaps’ daughter’. Meanwhile, Snaps’ actual daughter, Lisa, pretends to be pregnant to escape her overprotective father. These lies and mistaken identities start a chain reaction of humorous events and create confusion for everyone involved.

Switching Bags and Missed Connections
Three bags – one with cash, one with jewels, and one with the maid’s underwear – are constantly switched, leading to further misunderstandings. Lieutenant Toomey, observing Snaps’ house, misinterprets the bag exchanges as evidence of illegal activity. This contributes to the farcical nature of the plot.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Angelo ‘Snaps’ Provolone (Sylvester Stallone): A former mob boss attempts to honor his father’s dying wish by going straight, but faces hilarious complications.
- Sofia Provolone (Ornella Muti): Snaps’ fiery and dignified wife who keeps a close eye on her husband and family.
- Anthony Rossano (Vincent Spano): Snaps’s well-meaning but somewhat inept accountant who causes a series of misunderstandings.
- Lisa Provolone (Marisa Tomei): Snaps’s spoiled daughter who pretends to be pregnant to escape her overprotective father.
- Aldo (Peter Riegert): One of Snaps’s former henchmen who struggles to adapt to his new role as a butler.
- Connie (Chazz Palminteri): Another of Snaps’s former henchmen who has difficulty abandoning his gangster habits.
- Lieutenant Toomey (Kurtwood Smith): A determined police lieutenant who is convinced Snaps is still involved in criminal activity.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Snaps: “Don’t call me ‘Boss’! Call me… Angelo.” – Snaps repeatedly tries to get his former henchmen to stop calling him ‘Boss’ as he attempts to go straight, but they can’t break the habit.
- Snaps: “It’s like disarming Germany.” – Snaps says this when exasperatedly removing weapons from Connie as he attempts to go straight.
- Dr. Poole: “I find you…grammatically.” – Dr. Poole, a dialect coach, awkwardly attempts to express his feelings for Lisa using his professional expertise.
- Snaps: “Expeditious! It means to be efficient and speedy.” – Snaps tries to impress the bankers with his new vocabulary, highlighting his attempt to appear sophisticated.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $23,562,716
- Worldwide Gross: $23,562,716
💥 Oscar Reviews
Personal Review
I went in expecting a typical Stallone action flick and was completely surprised. This movie is hilarious! The timing is perfect, and the ensemble cast is fantastic. It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the charm. The whole ‘bag’ situation had me in stitches. It’s definitely a movie I’ll watch again and again. I even love Tim Curry as the speech coach. His character is so fun.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of screwball comedies”
- “Viewers interested in period pieces set in the 1930s”
- “Those who enjoy ensemble casts and farcical plots”
- “Sylvester Stallone fans interested in his comedic roles”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Comedic violence”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- Mountain Xpress: “Oscar had potential, but the scattered plot and over-the-top acting make it hard to enjoy. Stallone tries, but it’s all a bit much. The film is too carried away by its own premise, and even begins to come across as quite arrogant in its thinking that we will embrace the approach to its material.
- AllMovie: “This neo-screwball comedy boasts a strong cast and plenty of slapstick, though some may find the humor too broad. A gangster’s attempt to go legit is constantly thwarted by misunderstandings and mistaken identities. It tries to do a bit too much, but the good-natured humor mostly wins out.
Audience Reactions
The fast-paced plot and constant misunderstandings kept me laughing throughout the entire movie.: Many viewers praised the film’s quick wit, hilarious dialogue, and stellar ensemble cast.
Overall Consensus: While critics are divided, many viewers find ‘Oscar’ to be a delightful and underrated comedy with strong performances and plenty of laughs.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is based on the 1958 French play ‘Oscar’ by Claude Magnier, and is a remake of the 1967 French film of the same name starring Louis de Funès.”
- “Kirk Douglas makes a cameo appearance as Snaps’ dying father, adding a touch of Hollywood royalty to the cast.”
- “Marisa Tomei’s role as Lisa Provolone was one of her early film appearances, predating her Oscar-winning role in ‘My Cousin Vinny’.”
- “Director John Landis aimed to capture the fast-paced energy and comedic style of classic screwball comedies from the 1930s and 40s.”
🖥️ How to Watch Oscar?
Currently, ‘Oscar’ (1991) is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check these services for streaming options, as availability may change. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Oscar, you might like these similar films:
- Some Like It Hot (1959): Shares the farcical elements, mistaken identities, and gangster themes set in the Prohibition era.
- Trading Places (1983): Directed by John Landis, it showcases similar comedic timing and social satire with a focus on class and wealth.
- Clue (1985): Relies on ensemble cast, witty dialogue, and farcical situations arising from misunderstandings.
- Analyze This (1999): A modern comedy where a mob boss attempts to change his ways, albeit through therapy rather than a deathbed promise.
- A Fish Called Wanda (1988): Features a group of quirky characters involved in a chaotic heist, driven by greed and double-crossing.
🛒 Oscar Related Products
- Oscar [Blu-ray]: Relive the hilarious chaos of ‘Oscar’ in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Enjoy improved picture and sound quality for a truly immersive comedic experience.
- Gangster Movie Poster Pack – Vintage Style: Decorate your space with a collection of vintage-style gangster movie posters, capturing the essence of the 1930s setting of ‘Oscar’. Adds a touch of classic cinema to any room.
- 1930s Style Fedora Hat: Channel your inner ‘Snaps’ Provolone with this stylish 1930s style fedora hat. Perfect for completing your vintage gangster look and making a statement.
- Vintage Suit Blazer for Men: Dress in style with this Vintage Suit Blazer for Men! It fits with the aesthetic of the movie and lets you look and feel the way Snaps Provolone felt!
🎧 Soundtrack
Oscar features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘Oscar’ (1991) is an adaptation of the French play and movie of the same name, starring Louis de Funès.
Some critics found the film’s humor to be forced and Stallone’s comedic performance unconvincing, while others praised the film’s farcical plot and the strong supporting cast.
‘Oscar’ (1991) was filmed at Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.
🔥 Bonus Content
Grouch (Joker Parody) – SNL
Ever wondered what a ‘Sesame Street’ version of the Joker would look like? This SNL parody is hilarious and surprisingly dark. You won’t believe how well they nailed the gritty antihero vibe!
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