Wise Guys
dir. Brian De Palma · 1986
Life often forces individuals to navigate dangerous situations, revealing the importance of friendship and loyalty in overcoming adversity.
Feature
Organized Crime
Mood
Comedic
Look
vibrant and exaggerated, with a playful use of color and light
Structure
episodic misadventures leading to a climactic resolution
Plot
Harry Valentini and Moe Dickstein are both errand boys for the Mob. When they lose $250,000, they are set up to kill each other. But they run off to Atlantic City and comedy follows.
Why watch
"Wise Guys" offers a raucous blend of crime and comedy, where two hapless mob errand boys navigate a world of absurdity, betrayal, and unexpected camaraderie. With its vibrant aesthetic and sharp humor, this film is a rollercoaster ride of mischief that keeps viewers laughing against the backdrop of organized crime.
Cultural context
1980s mob culturerise of absurdist comedyAmerican crime narrativesAtlantic City as a cultural icon