Prizzi’s Honor Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mob hitman marries a woman, only to realize she’s a tax consultant… who’s also a hitwoman… and they both have contracts on each other because family.

🍿 Prizzi’s Honor: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Mob Wedding and a Chance Encounter

Charley Partanna, a hitman for the powerful Prizzi crime family, attends a wedding and is instantly smitten with Irene Walker, a beautiful blonde he doesn’t recognize. Irene identifies herself as a tax consultant. Their connection is immediate, setting the stage for a whirlwind romance, though both are unaware of each other’s true professions.

Love and Lies

Charley and Irene’s relationship quickly intensifies, leading to marriage. However, their happiness is built on secrets. Charley discovers that Irene is also a contract killer, and she admits to being in town for a hit. The situation becomes further complicated when the Prizzis task Charley with recovering stolen money from a casino scam.

Conflicts of Interest

Charley learns that the scam was orchestrated by Marxie Heller, and he is sent to eliminate him. To his shock, Heller’s wife turns out to be Irene. She claims ignorance about the stolen money, and Charley spares her life, recovering half the funds. Despite the lies and danger, they marry, blending their personal lives with the ruthless world of organized crime.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson): A hitman for the Prizzi family who falls in love with Irene, complicating his loyalty to the mob.
• Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner): A freelance killer whose romance with Charley is jeopardized by their conflicting loyalties and contracts.
• Eduardo Prizzi (Robert Loggia): A key member of the Prizzi family, deeply involved in the syndicate’s operations.
• Angelo ‘Pop’ Partanna (John Randolph): Charley’s father who works within the Prizzi crime family.
• Don Corrado Prizzi (William Hickey): The aging, ruthless Don of the Prizzi family, commanding respect and instilling fear.
• Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston): The rejected Prizzi family member and Charley’s ex-fiancée who seeks revenge and acceptance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Charley Partanna: “I love youse. I love youse. I love youse. That’s it. That’s the whole thing.” – Charley expresses his intense, simple-minded declaration of love to Irene.
• Irene Walker: “It’s so wonderful to hear you say that, I think I’m in love with love with you too!” – Irene responds in a dry, sarcastic manner to Charley’s awkward declaration.
• Don Corrado Prizzi: “Have another cooooookie” – Don Corrado (William Hickey) delivering this line makes it particularly menacing and memorable.
• Charley Partanna: “Marxie Heller so fuckin’ smart, how come he’s so fuckin’ dead?” – Charley expresses his confusion and frustration with Marxie’s cleverness that ultimately didn’t save him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $26,657,534
• Worldwide Gross: $26,657,534

💥 Prizzi’s Honor Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Prizzi’s Honor! Jack Nicholson is hilarious as the not-so-bright Charley, and Kathleen Turner is just stunning. The film’s quirky humor really stood out. The part where Charley confesses his love is hilariously funny! But Anjelica Huston stole every scene she was in. A unique take on the mafia genre, and a film I’ll definitely watch again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of black comedy and satire”
  • “Viewers interested in unconventional mob stories”
  • “Admirers of Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, and Anjelica Huston”
  • “Those who appreciate John Huston’s directorial style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “John Huston delivers a wickedly funny take on the mafia genre, elevated by stellar performances from Nicholson and Turner. The film’s sharp wit and unexpected twists make it a captivating watch, even if it occasionally struggles with tonal consistency.
• The New York Times: “Prizzi’s Honor cleverly subverts the typical gangster tropes, presenting a darkly comedic look at loyalty and betrayal. While the pacing can be uneven, the film’s unique blend of romance, crime, and humor is undeniably engaging.
• RogerEbert.com: “While enjoyable for its performances and unique take on the mafia, the movie felt disjointed. Some lines really hit their targets, but sometimes the movie isn’t focused enough. A loving parody of the mafia genre, a must-see for any one who likes this genre and for film lovers everywhere.

Audience Reactions

Anjelica Huston’s performance was absolutely brilliant and unforgettable.: Viewers praised the film’s unique blend of dark humor and gangster tropes.

Kathleen Turner and Jack Nicholson’s chemistry was amazing.: The cast delivers stellar performances, making the characters believable and engaging.

Overall Consensus: Prizzi’s Honor is a darkly comedic take on the mafia genre, praised for its unique blend of humor, romance, and crime, and excellent performances.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 1986
2. Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical)- 1986
3. Golden Globe (Best Actor – Comedy or Musical)- 1986
4. BAFTA Film Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 1986

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Anjelica Huston is the only person to win an Academy Award directed by her father, John Huston.”
• “Jack Nicholson’s character, Charley Partanna, was originally intended for Robert De Niro, but De Niro turned it down.”
• “John Huston was battling severe emphysema during filming and relied heavily on oxygen between takes.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Condon, known for his satirical and darkly comedic style.”

🖥️ How to Watch Prizzi’s Honor?

Prizzi’s Honor is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Prizzi’s Honor, you might like these similar films:

• The War of the Roses (1989): A dark comedy about a marriage dissolving into absurd and violent conflict.
• Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005): A married couple are surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other.
• Analyze This (1999): A comedy about a mob boss who seeks therapy.
• The Freshman (1990): A comedy about a young film student who gets involved with the mafia.

🛒 Prizzi’s Honor Related Products

• The Godfather Collection [Blu-ray]: Relive one of the greatest mob sagas ever told. Perfect for fans of gangster films and compelling storytelling. The Godfather movies are very similar to this one and you can purchase these films for your entertainment.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Scarface – Tony Montana: A stylized and iconic representation of Tony Montana from ‘Scarface,’ a related gangster film, perfect for display and collection. Fans of mafia movies might want to buy this item as a collector’s piece.
• Mafia III: Definitive Edition: Immerse yourself in the gritty world of organized crime with ‘Mafia III’. Experience intense action, compelling storytelling, and strategic gameplay in a captivating open-world environment. Perfect for fans of mob dramas and video games. A related video game, this product is designed to keep you entertained.
• The Sopranos: The Complete Series [DVD]: Own the complete saga of Tony Soprano and his complicated life in the New Jersey mafia. ‘The Sopranos’ is a landmark television series that redefined the gangster genre with its complex characters, gripping storylines, and dark humor. A similar series to the movie in review, this box set will keep you entertained for hours.

🎧 Soundtrack

Prizzi’s Honor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Una Furtiva Lagrima” – performed by Gaetano Donizetti
• “Nocturne no. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9 no. 2” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kevin Spacey funny Jack Nicholson Story #shorts @lexfridman

Ever wondered what it was like on the set of Prizzi’s Honor? Kevin Spacey shares a hilarious story about Jack Nicholson that’s totally wild. You won’t believe what happened with Jack’s pants!

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