Prizzi's Honor (1985)

Synopsis of Prizzi's Honor

Richard Condon's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters, as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), a Prizzi hit man, is not quite so honorable, at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding, he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner). Supposedly a tax consultant, Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley--and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis, Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma: does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously, Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter-of-fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession; in the movie's most memorable scene, the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica, playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast-off girl friend. The win made Anjelica, John, and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

See All Prizzi's Honor Trailers and Clips

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

129 mins

Director(s):

John Huston

Writer(s):

Richard Condon, Janet Roach

Producer(s):

John C. Foreman

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children)

• 1986 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Adapted Screenplay
• 1985 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Director
• 1985 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1985 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1985 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1985 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
• 1985 - National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actress
• 1985 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
• 1985 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
• 1985 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
• 1985 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actress

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

Looking for special editions of Prizzi's Honor?

See All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions