Film Review: Wise Guys (1986)

Film Review: Wise Guys (1986) | Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

By mid 1980s Brian De Palma has built reputation as one of the most talented American film directors and Hitchcock’s heir, but his stylish thrillers were often criticised as too violent, too exploitative and too misogynistic. Following the backlash against his erotic thriller Body Double, he realised that the Hollywood, just like the rest of America, became increasingly conservative, so his career continue only if his films became more mainstream. First such effort was Wise Guys, 1986 crime comedy which became one of the more obscure titles in De Palma’s career.

The plot is set in Newark, New Jersey and the protagonists are Harry Valentini (played by Danny De Vito) and Moe Dickstein (played by Joe Piscopo), next door neighbours and best friends who happen to work for Anthony Castelo (played by Dan Hedaya), local mob boss. They are at the bottom of Castelo’s organisation, often forced to perform dangerous and humiliating jobs and the only comfort is the idea that they would save enough money to start a restaurant. Opportunity to make this dream reality comes when Frank Acavano (played by Lou Albano) gives them Castelo’s money to bet on a specific horse at the race track. Harry has seen that most such bets in the past ended at loss and thinks that the money would be better spent on a different horse, more likely to win. His scheme turns into disaster when the Castelo’s horse actually wins, and Harry and Moe now must explain why their boss lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Castelo decides to punish them in specifically ingenious and cruel way – both men are told they would be forgiven if they kill each other. While Harry and Moe struggle with decision, the only prospect of salvation is Atlantic City where Harry’s uncle, retired mobster and former Castelo’s mentor, might have just enough clout to save their lives.

Script was written by Norman Steinberg and George Gallo; the latter is best known for his work on Midnight Run, another crime comedy with mob themes which, unlike this film, became great hit. While there is a humour in the film and few funny scenes, script suffers from cliches, relying on ethnic stereotypes and plot that at times doesn’t make much sense and gets resolved through unconvincing deus ex machina. But the worst disappointment is De Palma, director that actually had some previous experience with comedy, but who nevertheless finds claustrophobic world of urban New Jersey too constraining for his baroque style. For most of the time, Wise Guys doesn’t look much like a De Palma’s film, and De Palma’s creative resources seem spent at the very beginning of film during the car engine ignition scene that perfectly mixes suspense and gallows humour. Afterwards, glimpses of a familiar De Palma’s touch can be seen only in scenes taking place in Atlantic City, often at times when protagonists happen to watch scantily clad women. Major twist near the end lead to another, more predictable twist at the very end, because the audience probably knows that comedies like this one must end on a positive note.

The good cast is the only thing that makes this film watchable. Danny De Vito is very effective in his role and brings viewers’ sympathy despite some of his actions being terribly stupid and irresponsible. Joe Piscopo lacks proper chemistry with De Vito and it is easy to understand why that comedian, mostly known for his work on television, never achieved much success at bigger screen. Dan Hedaya, one of the great villains of 1980s Hollywood, is effective is semi-comical role of mob boss, but his somewhat restrained performance is at odds with professional wrestler Lou Albano who plays his obnoxious lieutenant. What could make this film interesting for cinephiles are references to great 1970s films like The Godfather, The Sting and Taxi Driver, but inevitable comparisons between those classics and Wise Guys would only create impression that the best days of American cinema have passed and, consequently, the best days of De Palma’s career were behind him.

RATING: 4/10 (++)