Okay, fellow tapeheads, let's rewind to a time when comedy duos were king and the mob movie could still take a sharp turn into outright silliness. Flickering onto the screen today is 1986's Wise Guys, a frantic, often bizarre buddy comedy nestled deep within the familiar territory of cheap suits, pinky rings, and guys named Vinnie. Pull up a beanbag chair, maybe crack open a Jolt Cola (if you dare), because this one’s a curious entry from a director known more for suspense than slapstick.
### De Palma Does... Laughs?
Right off the bat, the most intriguing thing about Wise Guys is the name behind the camera: Brian De Palma. Yes, the maestro of suspense who gave us stylish thrillers like Dressed to Kill (1980) and the epic Scarface (1983). Reportedly, De Palma took on this relatively low-stakes comedy after the commercial disappointment of Body Double (1984), perhaps looking for a change of pace. What results is... well, it’s certainly energetic. You can almost feel De Palma trying to apply his kinetic visual style to gags involving exploding cars, frantic chases through Atlantic City casinos, and the sheer manic energy of its two leads. It doesn't always gel perfectly, but it makes for a fascinating watch, seeing a master craftsman tackle something so deliberately goofy.
### Harry and Moe: A Match Made in Jersey
The heart of the film is the pairing of Danny DeVito as Harry Valentini and Joe Piscopo as Moe Dickstein. These two low-level, perpetually unlucky mob errand boys work for the short-fused capo Anthony Castelo (Dan Hedaya, perfectly cast). Harry's the dreamer, always scheming for the big score, while Moe is the more cautious, slightly dim-witted sidekick. Their chemistry is undeniable, built on years of shared neighborhood history and mutual desperation. DeVito, already a beloved star from Taxi and hitting his stride with films like Romancing the Stone (1984), is reliably fantastic as the conniving but ultimately loyal Harry.
Piscopo, fresh off his massive stardom from Saturday Night Live, carries a lot of the film's comedic weight. His muscle-bound physique (a signature part of his act back then) contrasts hilariously with Moe's often cowardly nature. It’s a performance brimming with that specific brand of 80s SNL energy – big, sometimes broad, but undeniably committed. This was meant to be a major cinematic vehicle for Piscopo; while it didn't quite launch him into superstardom, his performance here is a pure distillation of his mid-80s persona. Did you ever try imitating his Frank Sinatra back in the day?
### From Goofball Gags to Genuine Threat
The plot kicks off when Harry, convinced he knows best, places a bet for Castelo on the wrong horse. When the right horse wins, Castelo is out a fortune and blames his hapless underlings. His decree? Harry must kill Moe, and Moe must kill Harry. This death sentence sends our heroes scrambling, first trying to off each other in increasingly absurd ways, then realizing their friendship matters more, deciding instead to go on the run with Castelo's remaining betting money.
This is where the film really leans into its chaotic energy. The middle section, largely set in Atlantic City (you can almost smell the salt-water taffy and desperation), is a whirlwind of casino chases, mistaken identities, and near-misses. One standout sequence involves a ridiculously tricked-out limousine, showcasing some fun, practical stunt work that feels very much of its era – no sleek CGI here, just metal crunching and tires squealing. Remember how impressive even a simple car flip looked on a fuzzy VHS recording? It felt real.
Adding a layer of genuine menace is Harvey Keitel as Bobby DiLea, a former associate of Harry and Moe who now owns a swanky hotel-casino. Keitel, who could make reading the phone book intimidating (think Reservoir Dogs just a few years later), plays it cool and menacing, a stark contrast to the buffoonery surrounding him. His presence reminds us that despite the gags, these guys are still tangled up in a dangerous world. Fun fact: The script was penned by George Gallo, who would later write the arguably much tighter and more successful buddy/crime comedy Midnight Run (1988). You can see some similar DNA here, though Wise Guys aims for broader laughs.
### Dated Charm or Just Dated?
Look, Wise Guys isn't high art. Some of the humor feels distinctly '80s' – the jokes can be broad, the situations preposterous, and Piscopo's mugging might wear thin for some viewers. The pacing, while energetic under De Palma's hand, occasionally feels uneven as it shifts between slapstick and moments trying for genuine pathos. It didn't exactly set the box office on fire either, reportedly grossing around $8.5 million against a $13 million budget. Critics at the time were pretty lukewarm, too.
But viewed through the lens of VHS Heaven? There's a definite charm here. It’s a snapshot of two comedic actors near the peak of their 80s fame, thrown into a fairly standard mob-comedy plot but elevated by an unexpectedly stylish director. It feels like the kind of movie you'd stumble upon late one Friday night after browsing the aisles of Blockbuster, maybe grabbing it because you recognized the faces on the slightly worn cardboard sleeve. I distinctly remember renting this one, drawn in by DeVito and Piscopo, and being surprised by the sheer velocity of it all.
The supporting cast, including Captain Lou Albano (yes, the wrestler!) as a terrifyingly large hitman, adds to the quirky flavor. The Atlantic City locations provide a perfect backdrop – slightly gaudy, full of potential, but always teetering on the edge of collapse, much like our heroes' schemes.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: Wise Guys earns a solid 6 primarily for the infectious energy of DeVito and Piscopo, the unexpected directorial flair from De Palma, and its status as a quintessential piece of mid-80s comedy ephemera. It's uneven and certainly dated in spots, keeping it from reaching classic status. However, the physical comedy often lands, Keitel adds gravitas, and there's a genuine, nostalgic fun factor in watching these two unlikely mobsters bumble their way through Jersey. It’s not essential viewing, but it’s a more interesting and visually dynamic comedy than you might remember.
Final Take: A noisy, sometimes clumsy, but undeniably energetic blast from the past where the suits were loud, the hair was big, and even Brian De Palma could cut loose for a couple of hours of mob-fueled mayhem. Worth digging out of the bin for a dose of pure, unadulterated 80s comedy chaos.