Jack Nicholson enjoys himself enormously as Charley Partanna, a hitman for the powerful Prizzi family, a leading New York Mafia family.
Charley falls for gorgeous ‘tax consultant’ Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner) at a Mob wedding – only to discover she is, in fact, in the same line of business as him. She represents the interests of a rival Mafia family, which places Charley in a classic head-versus-heart dilemma.
A complicated series of events triggered by a wronged Prizzi princess (Anjelica Huston, the director’s daughter, in an engagingly offbeat performance) leads Charley and Irene to become each other’s targets in the outrageous finale.
Speaking exaggerated gangsterese and looking like his One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nestcharacter after the lobotomy, Nicholson gives a daring, funny performance, while Turner is the perfect foil.
Director John Huston’s wonderful movie features superb turns from the whole cast.
Charley Partanna
Jack Nicholson Irene Walker
Kathleen Turner Eduardo Prizzi
Robert Loggia Angelo ‘Pop’ Partanna
John Randolph Don Corrado Prizzi
William Hickey Dominic Prizzi
Lee Richardson Rosario Filargi ‘Finlay’
Michael Lombard Maerose Prizzi
Anjelica Huston Lt. Hanley
Lawrence Tierney Peaches Altamont
CCH Pounder Amalia Prizzi
Ann Selepegno Phil Vittimizzare
Vic Polizos Bluestone
Dick O’Neill Casco Vascone
Sully Boyar
Director
John Huston
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