Review of Prizzi's Honor (1985) by Fred W — 19 Jan 2009

I can't believe how unfunny and dull this film is. A John Huston film starring Jack Nicholson, with an Oscar winning performance from Anjelica Huston should never be boring, but Prizzi's Honor sure isn't interesting.

Nicholson plays Charley Partanna, a mobster in the Prizzi family who falls in love with Kathleen Turner's Irene, a hit woman from California. Meanwhile, Anjelica Huston plays Charlie's jealous old flame Maerose Prizzi. Unfunny hi-jinks occur when Nicholson and Turner fall in love, kill people, and steal money.

Nicholson plays Charlie straight, which makes him less funny than he already is written on paper. Nicholson also has a straight upper lip thoughout the entire film, which is not only distracting and awkward, but doesn't really add much to his character because he isn't interesting. Turner has never been an actress I've found interesting. She was fine in Peggy Sue Got Married and she was alright in her small role in The Virgin Suicides, but I don't understand what people like/liked about her. She isn't a remarkable actress, and she honestly isn't very attractive. Sure she has some moments in her films, but the right angles, costumes, lighting and make-up can be attributed to that. As for Anjelica Huston, she does an alright job with her small role, but I can't fathom why the Academy would choose to award her and Oscar for it. William Hickey as Don Prizzi looks disgustingly old and grimey, which could be funny but only makes him gross and strange, and John Randolph as Nicholson's father doesn't seem at all like the kind of man who could be involved in the mob.

The film's plot isn't interesting. After the 12th pointless characer had been killed and Nicholson has flown for the 6th time from Broolyn to California I gave up trying to enjoy the movie and just tried to finish it. Turner and Nicholson have some chemistry, but their romance feels rushed and we are always waiting for Turner to turn on Nicholson, because she is obviously smarter than him. The film also looks cheap, dull sets, unimaginative costumes and lighting so washed-out and bright that I almost fell asleep.

I have to say I was extremely disapointed with Prizzi's Honor. How this recieved 8 Oscar nominations (including Best Picture?!) I haven't a clue.