Wise Guys (1986)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Boring, long, and too preachy.

Beautiful, moving film.

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

One of the most entertaining movies ever made. A true Classic! Watched as a teenager and grew up trying to emulate a lot of this movie using it's timeless one liners even today. Funny, smart and exciting. Met Joe Piscapo decades later and used the "thank you Mr. Acavano" he was blown away. Sure he went home that night and said Holy sh** that guy remembers the lines! I watch it twice a year, still kills me all the time!

This is one of the goofy-est films about the mob ever made, and what a treat that can be. It's silly, unconventional and actually a lot of fun. It didn't deserve the "all bad" reviews it has gotten. It's enjoyable only if you take it in its dumb-silly 'spoofing' context. Not just about making fun of 'the mob', but about two New Jerseyians who wants to be "the big guy" stuck in a little situation. But...in this film, these two guys want to just be accepted by "the big guys" which just happens to be the neighborhood Jersey mob.The film goes against everything we were familiar with in mob films up until this time - it's a low-low-rent Godfather tale with two bumbling 'wanna-bes' soldiers played by Danny DeVito and Joe Piscapo. They grew up the best of friends in this mob neighborhood, but obviously do not have the style, skills or connections as their other 'made' neighbors. Their higher associated mob neighbors consider them the laughing stock and annoying as gnats at a picnic. And the mob jobs they do get are no more than minuscule to say the least (pick up the dry cleaning, get the coffee). But things change as an 'important', but fairly common, mob assignment is finally given for each to be carried out.The jokes are silly and ...regional. Similar feel to those in Rodney Dangerfields' "Easy Money". Does that mean ya gotta be a New Jerseyian to figure it out? No, but it helps. The supporting characters are seemingly over blown caricatures of Piscapo's SNL "You from Jersey, I'm from Jersey" routines and of much better mob films up to 1985 -- which is why in some parts this was actually funny. DeVito was funny (and yes, sometimes annoying) as the "almost, but not quite" wanta fit in (and really should have by lineage) mob Italian soldier who's Jewish friend (Piscapo) may have been holding him back. But that's the rub as they say, the friendship between these two, that not even the New Jersey mob can touch.

I bought this when the DVD came out as I try to do with all of Brian De Palma's movies. I had waited to see this one for a while and I was sadly displeased when I watched it. I thought it would be a real comedy and be funny, but is just what it is. Nothing happens that can be called funny or moving. I was not emotionally stirred through the whole movie and felt like I had just wasted two hours of my life. This and Sisters are De Palma's worst I say to everyone never watch these turkeys. Danny Devitto is usually a solid actor and can make me laugh but he has nothing to work with in this film. Joe Piscipo acts crappy as usual and I still can't stand him. What was De Palma thinking when he made this other than needing a check. He does not even have his signature style in this film the only thing that lets you know it's him is a shoddy 360 shot that he does in most of his films. Do your self a favor and avoid this one.

between two very serious and successful gangster movies ( Scarface and The Untouchable ), DePalma shot another crime epic called in the 80's called Wise Guys. Well, he changed one's tack here completely. Wise Guys may handle about emotionless gangsters and vengeful extorts, it is in fact a wacky comedy and a light-hearted spoof towards the genre that DePalma loves so much himself. All the stereotypical mob-characters are there and all the gangster-clichés are being mocked (the scene where DeVito has to start the big Boss ' car while everybody is waiting for the possible bomb to explode is hilarious). DeVito and Piscopo are still only errand-boys for the Newark mafia and they're sick of their jobs. They want to do a little double-cross on the mob but they fail completely and have to run for their lives. That is more or less the plot of Wise Guys but there are enough extra twists and surprises added to this to give you a very good time...a great ending included. Of course, it doesn't come close to the other gangster-epics DePalma shot do to its playful character. But I guess DePalma and the complete cast was aware of that as well. In general, a nice change and fun to watch...the only irritating aspect from time to time is DeVito's overacting!