Only after seeing this film can you be expected to believe that this is a charming comedy about two killers (PC: hit persons) who are deeply involved with mob families, fall madly in love, and then....
One is Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), a contract laborer for the Prizzi family headed by Don Corrado on the East Coast; the other is Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), based on the West Coast, who accepts an assignment to kill Partanna before meeting and then falling in love with him. The romance flourishes for a time. Previously, Partanna had ended his relationship with Maerose Prizzi (Angelica Huston), the Don's beloved but volatile granddaughter. Later, Huston received an Academy Award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role. She deserved it. Although apparently quite talented in his line of work, Charley often seems somewhat dimwitted, at least when contrasted with Irene who seems highly intelligent as well as physically attractive. Watching Nicholson play a smitten, almost schoolboyish Charlie is indeed a treat. Director John Huston does a brilliant job of juxtaposing romantic comedy with mob-directed violence. Amidst all the laughter, people really do get killed. William Hickey certainly deserved his nomination for an Academy Award for best actor in a supporting role, won in 1985 by Don Ameche for his work in Cocoon. He and other members of the cast were blessed with having an immensely clever script by Richard Condon, based on his novel. Listen carefully to Hickey's reading of his lines while also paying close attention to his masterful use of body language. Don Corrado Prizzi is indeed a lovable but deadly senior citizen. Yes, this film is highly entertaining. Witty, at times zany. However, as directed by John Huston, it also has layers of subtle menace as it examines darker regions of human nature.
