Customer Reviews

The Pope of Greenwich Village

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3 star:		(5)
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1 star:		(3)

 

 

After watching The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), I checked on here and was surprised to see relatively few reviews. Maybe people aren't all that aware of the movie, or maybe they're put off by the fact that one of its' stars is Mickey Rourke (or The Human Ashtray, as actress Kim Basinger once referred to him as), an actor who showed a lot of promise early in his career (some called him the next Brando) but eventually fell from grace due to his poor choice of film roles, grandiose ego, erratic behavior, and slovenly demeanor.

The Pope of Greenwich Village, mostly directed by Stuart Rosenberg, who also did one of my favorite films in Cool Hand Luke (1967), stars Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, and Burt Young, who many probably remember most as Sylvester Stallone's brother-in-law from the Rocky films. Also appearing are Kenneth McMillan (Dune, Cat's Eye), Jack Kehoe (Midnight Run), M. Emmet Walsh (Blade Runner), and Geraldine Page (The Trip to Bountiful). Also, it is noted that Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) made some uncredited directorial contributions to the film, but the extent of his involvement is unclear. I believe he was the original director, but then either quit or got fired...they're a temperamental lot out there in Hollywood...

Set in the Italian section of New York's Greenwich Village, the film features two characters, Charlie (Rourke), a well-dressed maitre d' with aspirations of someday owning his own restaurant, and Paulie (Roberts), Charlie's ever-scheming cousin who works in the same restaurant as Charlie, as a waiter. After Paulie gets caught skimming the checks (let's say the table orders six entrees...Paulie charges them for six, but then only reports three, pocketing the difference), both he and Charlie get canned. Now out of work and bills up the wazoo, Charlie must now find another job, but Paulie, who's got plans to buy into a racehorse, comes forth with a scheme, based on a tip, of a large amount of cash located in a safe of a local business. Reluctant, but needing the money, Charlie agrees to participate, and they do manage to crack the safe with help from an accomplice played by McMillan, but shortly things go sour, resulting in an accidental death of a cop. Not only that, but Charlie soon learns that the money they took belongs local psychotic Mob boss `Bedbug Eddie' (Young), something Paulie neglected to mention, who is more put off by the fact someone had the nerve to rob him, rather than the missing money. Let's just say Eddie's not too happy about the situation, and when Eddie's not happy, people tend to lose body parts.

I really enjoyed this film. I thought Rourke did well, playing his role very cool and calm, with a level of subtly he has since lost, as, I believe, he got too full of himself and became eccentric for the sake of being eccentric. Roberts is wonderful as Paulie, the smarmy, constantly in motion, hyperactive, fast-talking dreamer with a completely perverse sense of logic. An example of that is when he and Charlie just got fired for their restaurant gig, and Charlie is upset with Paulie as it was all his fault, but Paulie doesn't see it that way because if he knew his petty thievery was going to get Charlie fired, he wouldn't have done it...ergo, since he didn't know the outcome, it wasn't his fault. The weakest element in the film, I thought, was Hannah, who played Charlie's girlfriend Diane. There just seemed to be something missing, but this is a minor point as the rest of the actors, mostly seasoned pros, support the story well, especially that of Burt Young. I don't think his role required any great stretch for him, but he was definitely fun to watch. The real standout performance for me was that of Geraldine Page. Even though she only appeared in two scenes, and had about a total of five minutes on screen, she really made and impression (the second scene, in particular), so much so she was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in this film. She didn't win, but she did win a year later for her role in The Trip to Bountiful (1985). The film itself has a very authentic feel, much like that of a film others have mention being Mean Streets (1973), as it appears most of the film was shot on location, instead of on sets and back lots. Ultimately, Pope is a knock off of Mean Streets, but a really good one. I thought the music chosen for the film very good, especially that of Sinatra's Summer Wind, as it really set the mood for the movie well. The film runs right around two hours, but it didn't feel like it, as I was taken in by the story and highly interested in its outcome. Some points the movie did seem to drag a little, but I felt the time was used well as the plot was actually fairly intricate, involving many different elements, including a smattering of humor, raising the film above your standard mafia flick. I was mildly surprised by the lack of violence in the film, and even the most memorable point, a person losing an appendage, is off screen, allowing for the viewer to visualize rather than see it. My three favorite scenes are, in no particular order, the one with Geraldine Page's character talking with the crooked cops, Paulie giving Charlie tips on women, and Charlie and Paulie at the racetrack, looking for that ever elusive winner.

The non-anamorphic wide screen print on this DVD looks pretty good and the audio ain't bad, but it both could be better. MGM provides little in the way of special features, including only a trailer. As far as the meaning of the title of the film? Well, you'll just have to wait until the very end...

Cookieman108

Released at a time when comedies were measured by the number of exposed women's breasts or the quality of vomiting scenes, THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE was a refreshing movie that had actual character development and humor based on wit, not bodily functions. Paulie and Charlie (Rourke and Roberts) play two citizens of Little Italy that are on the criminal fringe, although they themselves are not criminals. But as they look around them, the criminals of the street are getting richer and the yuppies of the 80s even richer than that. When they are approached by Barney, a locksmith losing his sight (wonderfully portrayed by Kenneth McMillan) who has a plan for a quick score, the two fall in. Once they do, the pasta goes flying.

I won't go further into the plot. There are some great supporting performances here: Geraldine Page, Burt Young, Tony Musante, Phillip Bosco, and even Daryl Hannah. The direction is top notch. Check out this little period piece of a neighborhood that is rapidly disappearing.

"Chimes, Charlie, chimes..." The Pope of Greenwich Village was one of the great films of 1984 and offers a visually and thematically telling portrait of two small-time hustlers in Little Italy. Charlie, portrayed brilliantly by Mickey Rourke in his finest performance, is wed, in a brotherly sense, to his second cousin, Paulie, played with equal bravado by Eric Roberts. It is an Italian/NYC version of Of Mice and Men and proves that blood is thicker than water, and even a little thicker than a nice hot cup of laced espresso. Pay particular attention to the wonderful work of Burt Young as Bedbug Eddy -- a local boss that causes Charile and Paulie (not to mention Paulie's "thummmmb") a great deal of grief. Certain lines by Eric Roberts are unforgettable, Rourke's swagger is unparalleled, and great tracks ranging from Frank Sinatra to Mink deVille offer the wonderful back drop of the Village and equal dose of acoustic power. It is a New York movie, it is an Italian-American morality tale -- it's tough and gritty and damn good. Leave the gun, take the canolis...and the movie. -- Mr. Zelig

Charlie, a half-Irish, half-Italian restaurant manager (played by a very young Mickey Rourke) employs his young cousin Paulie (an equally young Eric Roberts) as a waiter. Charlie wants to do better, and dreams of opening his own restaurant, but Paulie is full of tricks and schemes, always dreaming of ways to become bigger and better.

Paulie spins a dinner check, and gets both Charlie and himself fired from their jobs. Then Charlie finds out his girlfriend Diane (a young and stunning Daryl Hannah) is pregnant. Charlie has enough problems with his ex-wife Cooky and supporting his son Vinnie, so Charlie needs to score big to change his situation. Paulie's got the plan all laid out.

The problem is, Paulie is a screw-up. From investing in a racehorse to planning a break-and-enter, Paulie always seems to overlook the dangers of his schemes. One of my favorite scenes, one that still after all these years brings a smile to my face and a chuckle to my lips, is Paulie's retribution to the surly street cop who administers parking tickets by immediately towing cars.

'Pope' is a fantastic, low-key film with exceptional entertainment value. A great movie from the early 80's that is still poignant. Adding to the flavor, you should have a great time chuckling when you see all the shiny suits, tight pants, and permed hair. The supporting cast is great, with Burt Young playing 'Bedbug' Eddie Grant, Kenneth McMillan playing Barney the safecracker, and Tony Musante as uncle Pete. Put a nice soundtrack with Sinatra's 'Summer Wind' behind it, and you have a tasty, laid back treat to watch when you're feeling mellow. Enjoy!

One of my favorites of all time. Two cousins turn New York and reality unside down in the quest for some money. The best roles ever for Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts.

Perhaps one of the most overlooked, underappreciated movies of all times, especially if you have any ties to New York City. The story is more than meets the eye, dealing with social class and heriarchy and the human desire for betterment. Contains the greatness that was Mickey Rourke and was Eric Roberts (what happend to these guys). Certain scenes with send chills up your spine. Above all else is the humour. If you don't get it, you don't get it and there is nothing that can be done. But if you get it, it will leave you with lines you will be repeating for the rest of your life.

I've revisited many movies over the years and sometimes come away dissappointed that the film hasn't aged well. So, with a certain trepidation I rented one of my favorite movies from the 80's, "The Pope of Greenwich Village." But as soon as the movie started I was sucked into the world of Charlie played by Mickey Rourke in a performance that still holds up today. Rourke's got a vulnerability and toughness that isn't seen in todays actors. The movie is refreshing in the way it portrays the desperation of life and how we grasp onto anything that resembles hope. Its about gambling on love, friendship, ambition and how we mostly fall short of our dreams but if we have a sense of humor and a friend to stand by us-even a crazy one superbly played by Eric Roberts-life can be bearable. In the eighties Mickey Rourke was on a roll, Diner, Body Heat, Angel Heart, Barfly and The Pope of Greenwich Village. There maybe better movies that he's done but not one with more heart.

"The Pope of Greenwhich Village" is a simple story of two desperate inhabitants of New York's Little Italy who are related. Eric Roberts is "Paulie", a directionless caifone who feels that you get ahead in life if you can make that one big money "score" and then retire to a warm, sunny beach somewhere in Miami. Mickey Rourke plays "Charlie", a guy from the same neighborhood who is in love with a WASP (Darryl Hannah) who is desperately trying to pry Charlie from Paulie's grips and keep him on a straight and narrow road-their aspiration to buy a restaurant in the country. "Diane" knows this is their ticket out of New york and away from Paulie, but Charlie just cannot seem to break away and falls prey to a "score" that goes terribly wrong. This desperate score was the result of Paulie getting both of them fired from the restaurant where they worked, and Charlie, saddled with bills and "a marshall who wants to put a lean on my salary, if and when I get a salary" has no choice but to go along on the caper. Great performances all around, and the supporting cast shines as well. Ths is an interesting study in frustration, temptation, desparation and humanity-and all its frailties.

The best Rourke movie I've ever seen,thanks to the great director. Outstanding supporting cast. Nostalgic look at New York, great sense of humour, excellent work by Roberts. I strongly recommend it.

A pale imitation of Mean Streets, but worth seeing for Mickey Rourke's performance. Mr Rourke is witty, charming and stylish and wears his very eighties costumes with panache. His bouffant hairdo is a scream. He also blows smoke at pretty hatcheck girls with much style.