Search - Prizzi's Honor on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 8/23/2020...

Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner and William Hickey shine in this. Really strong mafia plotline that was well done. You may want to revisit the beginning when you get near the end. You will understand when you get to that point. There is young C.C.H. Ponder, who has a brief role in this if you like her work. Hickey did a really great job playing the Don! This would have been a five star rating but the ending weakened some brining my rating down a notch.

Peter Q. (Petequig)
Reviewed on 7/31/2010...

Very different role for Jack. All great performances.

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Star-Cross'd Hit Persons

Robert Morris | Dallas, Texas | 07/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only after seeing this film can you be expected to believe that this is a charming comedy about two killers (PC: hit persons) who are deeply involved with mob families, fall madly in love, and then....

One is Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), a contract laborer for the Prizzi family headed by Don Corrado (William Hickey) on the East Coast; the other is Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), based on the West Coast, who had already accepted an assignment to kill Partanna before meeting and then falling in love with him. The romance flourishes for a time. Previously, Partanna had ended his relationship with Maerose Prizzi (Angelica Huston), the Don's beloved but volatile granddaughter. Later, Huston received an Academy Award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role. She deserved it. Although apparently quite talented in his line of work, Charley often seems somewhat dimwitted, at least when contrasted with Irene who seems highly intelligent as well as physically attractive. Watching Nicholson play a smitten, almost schoolboyish Charlie is indeed a treat. Director John Huston does a brilliant job of juxtaposing romantic comedy with mob-directed violence. Amidst all the laughter, people really do get killed. Hickey certainly deserved his nomination for an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role, won in 1985 by Don Ameche for his work in Cocoon. He and other members of the cast were blessed with having an immensely clever script by Richard Condon, based on his novel. Listen carefully to Hickey's reading of his lines while also paying close attention to his masterful use of body language. Don Corrado Prizzi is indeed a lovable but deadly senior citizen. Yes, this film is highly entertaining. Witty, at times zany. However, as directed by John Huston, it also has layers of subtle menace as it examines darker regions of human nature."

Bada Bing!

L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 10/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A young boy, in his cub scout uniform at Christmas, recieves his first pair of brass knuckles. Then as a young man we see him taking a blood oath and swearing loyalty to "The Family". "The Family" is the Prizzi's, and the boy has grown up to be their number one hit man. He is Charlie Partanna, godson to Don Corrado Prizzi, head of "The Family". Another sequel to the Godfather? NOT!
"Prizzi's Honor"(based on a novel by Richard Condon) is a comedy with it's own brand of humor, a take off of mob family style movies. Director John Huston spins us a web of loyalties, and deciets,and schemes so out there you just have to laugh.
When Charlie meets and falls for Irene, a woman outside the family,he discovers that she also is a "contractor". As a matter of fact she has done a job for the family, but has also ripped them off. Charlie doesn,t know whether to "ice her or marry her"
So he marries her.They do jobs together. All seems well. But it is not...MaeRose the grandaughter of The Don, who has loved Charlie all her life, has been dishonored in the eyes of the family due to a break up with Charlie five years earlier. She is determined to get back in with the family, and with Charlie, and she has her own way of icing the competition, no guns or knives needed. Her scheme sets into motion a chain of events that leaves the whole family not knowing who to trust,and loyalties,especially Charlie's are put to the test.
This comedy/drama has a terrific cast... Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner will blow you away with their performances as "contractors" in love, William Hickey brings his own special brand of charm as "The Don". Angelica Huston, who we first see in a black and red dress that makes you think of a black widow spider,is superb and won Best Supporting Actress for her role as the jilted Mafia Princess. Also look for Robert Loggia in his usual great style as a heavy.
The Anchor Bay DVD is great. The picture and colors are clear and bright. It looks like a new film. The sound is in Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo and sounded very good. Everything was distinct. It is in widescreen,with full screen on the other side.
There are no special features with this one, but I can't take anything away from the film or DVD for that. Maybe someday they'll have a special edition in 5.1 with some added features and then we'll have to go to 6 stars. I enjoyed this DVD just the way it was. If you're a Nicholson fan,you will too!
Kick back and enjoy this one..........Laurie"

Huston Takes on the Mob

Movie Mania | Southern Calfornia | 01/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Huston takes on the mob in Prizzi's Honor. Jack Nicholson plays a low level hit man for the Prizzi family. While at a wedding he meets a beautiful stranger and falls for her. Eventually he marries her.

He is given another assignment, kill his wife. The question is who comes first, his "family" or his wife?

This is a brilliant black comedy. John Huston proves that he not only can handle crime drama but crime comedy. This was one of last films and was one of his best films.

Jack Nicholson gives one of his finest performances. This is probably one of his most underrated performances. There is no flashy scenes just a great character.

Kathleen Turner has never been better. Again, this is not a flashy role, just well written. This is her greatest performance.

But the find of the film is Angelica Huston. Angelica made a film with her father before and had a terrible experience. After that, she had minor roles in lesser films. This would give her an Oscar and a new film career.

Buy this if you want to have a wickedly fun time!

DVD EXTRAS: None
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