Customer Reviews

Wise Guys

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this movie in the theatre back in 1986 and enjoyed it immensely. The critics, with Siskel and Ebert being one of the few exceptions, generally dismissed it. I think they missed the boat on this one. Danny DeVito, in probably one of his better screen roles, and Joe Piscopo are a funny and engaging comic team. If Piscopo had more opportunities like this he would have had a sustained film career away from "Saturday Night Live". What a great supporting cast Brian DePalma has assembled here: Dan Hedaya, Frank Vincent, and a hilarious Captain Lou Albano. A minor quibble is the film underutilizes the late, great Ray Sharkey(Sonny Steelgrave from TV's "Wiseguy") and Harvey Keitel. This is a film that deserves to be discovered and definitely be re-evaluated by it's detractors.

A laugh from beginning to end. Danny and Joe are like Abbott & Costello.They complement one and other like a hand and a glove or a foot and a sock. The situations they get into and the way they deal with them,are hilarious.I wish they would put this on DVD format.I've watched this movie many times and I never get tired of seeing it.It's as funny each time I see it as it was the very first time.I consider it one of my all time classics.

Want some great belly laughs..then check this one out. Anyone from NJ will love this. Forget the Sopranos these guys have it down. I met Joe Piscopo in Newark Airport and he told me this movie is a rental moneymaker in NJ. I can see why.

Thought this was funny at the time, but now: Plot "twists" straight out of wrestling...was Captain Lou Albano the screenwriter? New York locale scenes always overcast; looks like it was made in the dismal 70's instead of mid-80's. Joe Piscopo is a very likeable guy, but he should stick to sketch comedy.

One of those old classics that you watch over and over.
Great Actors.
Lots of funny scenes and lines you may find yourself repeating (No No No, thank YOU Mr. Accavano!!).
I must have seen this 20X on Cable.
It belongs in the collection.

This is a great movie if you like the life. They teach you how to outsmart the mob and come out on top. Harry & Moe want to be somebody but when they make a mistake it could cost them their lives. They take off to Atlantic City and hide out from the mob bosses and from theirselves only to find the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. Thank you Mr. Accavano!!

After spending 2+ years making the epic gangster crime drama "Scarface", DePalma immediately released another (great) typical satiric erotic psychological mystery thriller, "Body Double"; however, he felt the need to let off some steam and get a bit of comedic relief from all of the blood and violence. So, he made one of the funniest comedies ever made.
Casting such talented people as Danny Devito, Joe Piscopo, Dan Hedaya, Harvey Keitel, Captain Lou Albano, Patti Lupone, Ray Sharkey, working from a script by George Gallo, produced by Aaron Russo, DePalma put his trademark stamp on this film, and turned out something so funny that you will be screaming with laughter the entire time.
Harry (Devito) and Moe (Piscopo) are two neighbors/best friends who happen to work for the local crime/mob boss (Hedaya), hoping and dreaming (and scheming) to one day be their own boss, and have their own 'crew'. In the meantime, they are very low on the totem pole, living in Newark, being the 'go-getter' guys for their crime boss, they go get his dry cleaning, start his car, etc., etc. One day at the tracks, Harry has a 'brainstorm' to bet their boss' money on the WRONG horse, thinking it would win and he and Moe could make off with the cash, and no one would be none the wiser since their boss' bets usually were a bust anyways. Well, today is not their lucky day!
Seperated and threatened, one is played against the other, trying to force them to rat one out; but, they are too loyal to each other, something that really bothers the Boss. So, he tells them secretly, that to make things right with him, one must 'off' the other, and he gives each one a gun. In the meantime, bets start rolling in amongst the other 'employees' (mob thugs) as to who will 'bump' who first, Harry or Moe? They are warned that there is a hit out on them by the local bartender (Sharkey), so they steal The Fixer's (Albano) car, a pink Cadillac, and off to Atlantic City they go to see Harry's uncle Larry.
They are met with a very cold welcome by Harry's aunt, so they go to a long-time friend, Bobby's (Keitel), casino/hotel to stay. This is possibly the most hilarious section of the film, but it does keep the laughter coming as it moves along, with a brisk pace, and several twists and turns in the plot.
Yes, even though it is a comedy, DePalma throws in a terrific last minute twist that is utterly climatic and fantastic and hilarious.
Everyone in this is hilarious, especially Albano, Devito, and Piscopo, who never did a funnier film before OR after this one. Not to be mistaken and/or confused with the dreadful "Johnny Dangerously" (which came out the same year, something Hollywood has done to DePalma to this day, try to compete with his films by releasing a 'Hollywood' version that s**ks).
Released in 1986 to mixed reviews (Siskel & Ebert gave it a HUGE thumbs up), this is the film that stupid comedies like "Dumb And Dumber" only wish they could be, and it's just as funny (if not funnier) today as it was 21 years ago when it was released. Heavily recommended! Thank you.

I saw WISE GUYS two or three times when (1986) it was in the movie theaters. This gem from Brian DePalma delivers a lot of laughs while still building to a climax as suspenseful as the director's thrillers (THE UNTOUCHABLES, BODY DOUBLE, BLOW OUT). Joe Piscopo's performance sparkles, equaling his best work on "Saturday Night Live." Lou Albano, terrifyingly funny as a buffoonish hit man, almost steals the movie. See WISE GUYS!

All I can say about this movie is that it is a laugh a minute. Between the quips of Joe Piscopo and Danny DeVito, who are running from Mr. Costello (Dan Hedaya) and his gangster mob after losing 50K at the track, and the crazed Mr. Acavano, this movie is amazingly funny. The movie is absolutely worth watching just for Mr. Piscopo's reactions when they lose the 50K. Check it out.

This movie is funny from beginning to end. I really love this movie. Devito and Piscipo were great complements for each other and Captain Lou Albano was hiliarious. One problem with this movie is that you have to watch it on VHS. WHY IS IT NOT ON DVD?!!!!! I am shocked that they are not putting a De Palma movie on dvd especially one as funny as this one. This is a classic movie that not many people have seen and more people should. Whatever company makes this movie should put it on DVD.