Well actually, that's what happens, but you'll have to catch the movie to see how it all plays out.

This movie might have been the inspiration for another husband/wife assassination team some three decades later. In it's way, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" was way over the top and mindless, but still a fun film to watch. In addition to being a gangster story, this one also comes across as something of a caper flick, what with the kidnapping of bank embezzler Filargi (Michael Lombard), and the hoops required to jump through on the part of Kathleen Turner's character. She's Irene Walker, the love interest of Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson), in a story that relies on it's share of coincidences before it all comes to a head. However if you're up on your Mafia protocol, the idea that Dominic Prizzi (Lee Richardson) would go over his father's head to take out a contract on Charley is somewhat dubious. Especially since Don Corrado Prizzi ((William Hickey) was about to make Charley the family boss, in itself a somewhat less than credible order of transition. But hey, it's just a story after all.

The one idea that holds fast in the movie is that blood is thicker than water, and when it comes time for Charley to decide which way he'll go when he's ordered to take out his new wife Irene, he's only conflicted about it for a little while. I have to admit, I was wondering how this was all going to play out, because the story has you going in a couple of different directions. I can't say that I was happy that Charley had such a good aim, but it did reinforce the notion that Mafia Families have their own code of honor. Just ask Fredo Corleone.

Had the makings of great movie - original and interesting basic plot, one of the greatest directors of all time in John Huston, plus the acting talents of Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner and Angelica Huston.

Yet it falls short.

The movie lacks intensity and the script seems disjointed at times. Pacing is off, and the feel of the movie is far from smooth.

Not exactly boring, but could easily have been a lot better.

In New York, the hit-man Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson) is like a son for his godfather Don Corrado Prizzi (William Hickey), who is a powerful mobster. In a wedding of a member of their family, Charley meets Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner) and he falls in love with her. Irene introduces herself as a tax consultant, but indeed she is a killer hired by the Prizzis for a "contract" in New York. They get married, and later Chaley realizes that she betrayed the Prizzis and had stolen their money in a casino. Charley has to face and decide between his code of honor with the Prizzi's family and his love for Irene.

"Prizzi's Honor" is a masterpiece and certainly one of the best movies of the 80's. The story is engaging, having a very dark black humor and many plot points. Jack Nicholson, Angelica Huston in a Machiavelian role, Kathleen Turner (gorgeous, sexy and elegant) and William Hickey are amazing. The performance of the magnificent cast and the outstanding direction of John Huston are marvelous. I have seen this movie at least six times, and I do not get tired of watching it. Unfortunately "Prizzi's Honor" has not been released on DVD in Brazil. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): "A Honra do Poderoso Prizzi" ("The Honor of the Powerful Prizzi")