lesdroits Watched this movie after reading a piece by Angelica Houston referring to her Oscar win. Gee, I thought, I've never seen it but it is by Houston, has Nicholson and (then still gorgeous) Kathleen Turner, so I purchased the DVD. From the beginning, it was so corny, so poorly acted, often so stupidly, almost jokingly melodramatic, and so almost plot-less until far along, that I simply could not believe I was watching a movie that had won anything, much less an Oscar. It never came close to making me laugh, if it was supposed to be a funny spoof, so failed there. And Angelica who won an Oscar? Had a very limited part, not that many lines -- and was always rather monotone, even the one time she emoted (weeped -- which you only really knew because she kept wiping her eyes). Such a silly, B grade (at best) movie that I looked up the contenders for best supporting actress that year -- must have been a dog of a year -- but no, there was Oprah from the Color Purple. Really? I've heard the argument that, well, maybe Angelica was "owed one." (And how she was "owed", I do not know,). And yet how could the academy nonetheless award someone who hardly had any acting in such a low-grade movie is beyond me -- and should be beneath the standards of the academy.Spend your hour and a half doing anything else.

namashi_1 John Huston's 'Prizzi's Honor' is A Memorable Film with Solid Performances! Its a throughly entertaining film! 'Prizzi's Honor' tells the story of a mob hit man & hit woman who fall in love, even though they have been hired to kill each other. 'Prizzi's Honor' is well-paced, funny, engaging & memorable. Richard Condon & Janet Roach's Screenplay is throughly entertaining & offers terrific moments. John Huston's Direction is of high standards. Cinematography, Editing & Costume Design, are superb.Performance-Wise: Acting God Jack Nicholson is astonishing, once again. He plays the twisted protagonist impeccably. Kathleen Turner is extremely witty & unpredictable in her portrayal, while Anjelica Huston's Oscar-Winning turn is simply brilliant. William Hickey is outstanding, what a performance! Robert Loggia is in form. John Randolph deserves a special mention.On the whole, 'Prizzi's Honor' is definitely worth watching. Go For Some Vintage Entertainment!

elshikh4 Many many Academy award nominations this movie had face now much much rage and provocation I had while and after watching it ! While this was nominated for the best screenplay, I see that it chose the wrong genre utterly. While this was nominated for the best director, it's directed in incredibly uninspired way that made such a spiritless and atmospheric-less movie! While this was nominated for the best performance by an actor in a leading role, I see that (Jack Nicholson) was yes into the point as a dumb loyal bulldog, but mostly ugly. And while this was nominated for the best performance for an actress in a supporting role, and won, I see that (Anjelica Huston) did fine, but not great !The theoretical structure of the script is catchy and amusing. While telling a story about fidelity, love and honor in the world of mafia, it is a momentum of crime games and double crossings which leads to a tragic and ironic climax. However all of that could have been done way better as a comedy, not pure crime. It has a mega black comedy potential, though it was made in a way that has nothing to do with comedy. It's like looking to Marilyn Monroe and thinking only of analytical chemistry ! The conversations were left to lead everything obtusely. Don't be hungry for a good line or – god forbid – a slick joke out of the deeply ironic material. There is absolutely no moment portrayed in meaningfully artistic or even enjoyably aesthetic way. Simply the image didn't help establishing an expressive shape for the events or one eventual goal. The thing is it has no sarcastic soul, or else !(Nicholson) was deadly monotonous. There was no scene he did interestingly. And his voice in specific annoyed me extremely! EddieLarge, one of the IMDb users, commented on Nicholson's acting in the movie's board so wisely by saying that "Sticking some tissue under your top lip and speaking like a caricature of a Gangster does not equal good acting!". Maybe that performance could have been utilized in originally comic cosmos, but the movie's one was mute and dull. So what's bright here?? (William Hickey)'s face and performance. He did beat all the cast with his half stinking corpse, half elegant devil character that he mastered. Now nominating him for best supporting actor was something – finally – right. (Kathleen Turner)'s beauty; especially her mind-blowing, unbelievably perfect, long legs. And the Italian music-crazed soundtrack by the always prodigious Alex North; it was the only joking element around, rather the only sincere element to the movie's "lost" nature as genius black comedy. I was between pish and yawn. It's like a vast desert with meanings far far away. Why this wasn't made as a comedy is a question that swallowed the whole thing. They lost a huge chance, and made instead a boring and so silly movie, which went to be awfully overrated as well (beside the 5 academy awards I mentioned so far, it was nominated also for best costume design, best film editing, and – get ready for this – best picture !!). OK, it was nominated for almost all the wrong reasons then! Doesn't it eat you when a movie is loudly praised while you see it as usual or less than usual ?! Anyway, thank god that it didn't get nominated for best short animated film too !

Michael Neumann This tongue-in-cheek fairy tale of true love between hired assassins is more demanding than it should have been, almost certainly requiring a second viewing just to unravel Richard Condon's convoluted plot. Jack Nicholson portrays a dim-witted pet hit man for the Prizzi crime family; his rival/paramour is Kathleen Turner, and the scenario demands a heroic suspension of disbelief to accept either star in their role. Both were obviously chosen for their marquee appeal, but it's the supporting cast that makes the film worthwhile, including William Hickey as the frail Prizzi patriarch and Angelica Huston as his scheming granddaughter (the former earned an Oscar nomination; the latter won the award). Director John Huston, for all his acknowledged talents, shows no special gift here for black comedy, and the cold-blooded conclusion may leave viewers with a bitter aftertaste.