Oscar (1991)
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A mob boss attempts to go straight and become a respectable businessman to honor his dying father's wishes.
The story
In 1931, gangster Angelo "Snaps" Provolone promises his dying father Eduardo that he will give up a life of crime and instead "go straight", turning his trusted gang into house assistants. A month later, Snaps attempts to join a bank's board of trustees to secure an honest job. However, complications arise when his accountant seeks a massive raise to propose to Snaps' daughter, and Snaps' daughter claims to be pregnant by the former chauffeur, Oscar. As Snaps navigates these domestic hurdles, local police and a rival mob boss both begin watching the mansion with growing suspicion.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1931, gangster Angelo "Snaps" Provolone promises his dying father Eduardo that he will give up a life of crime and instead "go straight", turning his trusted gang into house assistants. A month later, Snaps attempts to join a bank's board of trustees to secure an honest job. Complications arise when his accountant, Anthony Rossano, asks for a 250% raise to propose to Snaps' daughter, Lisa. Lisa, wanting to move out, claims to be pregnant by the former chauffeur, Oscar. Snaps tricks Anthony into marrying Lisa to secure the jewels he stole from the books. Meanwhile, police lieutenant Toomey and mob rival Vendetti both suspect Snaps is meeting with Chicago mobsters, leading to a tense standoff. Anthony eventually recovers the jewels and reconciles with his true love, Theresa. A new maid, Roxanne, arrives and reveals she was pregnant with Snaps' child, making Theresa his daughter. During a meeting with the bankers, Snaps realizes they are giving him a raw deal and the police interrupt the meeting. Vendetti's men crash into the mansion and are arrested by Toomey. Realizing he prefers the life of crime over the 'respectable' world of banking, Snaps returns to his criminal ways. The film ends with a double wedding for his daughters, where Oscar finally appears and objects to Lisa's marriage before being carried off by Snaps' men.
- First release year
- 1991
- Runtime (minutes)
- 109
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Landis
- Writers
- Michael Barrie · writer; Jim Mulholland · writer
- Cast and characters
- Sylvester Stallone · Angelo "Snaps" Provolone; Marisa Tomei; Ornella Muti; Tim Curry; Don Ameche; Chazz Palminteri
- Genres
- comedy; crime
- Themes
- Identity; Family; Crime vs. Respectability
- Tone and mood
- Comedic; Farce; Stylized
- Premise and plot tags
- Remake; Screwball Comedy; Mafia Comedy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Claude Magnier stage play
- Reception
- The film was considered a flop and received mixed to negative reviews from critics, though some praised the supporting cast and Stallone's performance.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Awards · Worst Actor · 1992 · Nomination; Golden Raspberry Awards · Worst Director · 1992 · Nomination; Golden Raspberry Awards · Worst Supporting Actress · 1992 · Nomination
- Production trivia
- John Landis' first choice for the lead role was Al Pacino.; The film score is based around Gioachino Rossini's Barber of Seville.; The film was stylistically influenced by older Hollywood comedies, particularly the "screwball" genre.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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