Wise Guys

Wise Guys is an American crime-comedy film directed by Brian De Palma. Released in 1986, the movie stars leading actors Danny DeVito, Joe Piscopo, and Harvey Keitel. The film offers viewers an interesting blend of humor, camaraderie, and the thrill of crime, all bundled into an engaging narrative.

Danny DeVito is Harry Valentini and Joe Piscopo is Moe Dickstein. They are two comedically blundering, childhood friends from New Jersey who have grown up together and are smitten by dreams of making it big in a world controlled by shady bosses and powerful criminals. This fast-paced film involves these two low-level mafia employees assigned to pick up a horse race's winning bet, providing ample scope for their comic synergy to unravel. However, things start to go awry when they decide to place a minor bet of their own, plunging them deeper into a rotated mafia operation.

DeVito and Piscopo flawlessly bring to life the peculiar duo of Harry and Moe. They're essentially the "wise guys", the men running the errands, doing the shoddy work, and intricately involved with the mafia, without any significant role. DeVito's comic timing combined with Piscopo's often slapstick-yet-subtle humor makes for an enthralling watch throughout the film. DeVito's character, Harry, is the more savvy and calculative of the two, often devising plans to help them escape their bosses. Piscopo's Moe, on the other hand, is more the jovial, playful, and often careless accomplice, but his loyalty and friendship with Harry are unquestionable.

Harvey Keitel, as Bobby DiLea, is a ruthless, calculated mob boss who is equal parts menacing and charming. Keitel’s controlled frenzy provides a different flavor to the movie. His portrayal of a mob boss who can flip from calm to explosive in an instance is accurate and daunting.

The narrative follows Harry and Moe through light-hearted, comic misadventures, marked with sequences of thrill and suspense. They set off on an adventure replete with convoluted, and mostly misfired, plans which take them from casinos in Atlantic City to the lavish mansion of a crime boss to the sunny expanses of the Bahamas. The chase is always on, the comedy is continuous, and the suspense keeps the viewer locked in.

As they navigate their world of crime, the one thing that remains rock solid is their friendship. This is a film that celebrates the themes of camaraderie, brotherhood, and loyalty amidst all the chaos and tumbling. DeVito and Piscopo’s on-screen chemistry works perfectly, making the viewer feel for their characters, even in their inane comic frolics. They are the hapless wise guys who are trying to sail through a world of crime, with a lopsided map and faulty compass, but with a friendship tighter than any trouble they manage to land themselves in.

The film is soaked in the backdrop of the mid-1980s American pop culture. The film deploys all classic elements typical of crime films during that era — scheming plans, double-crossings, and sudden plot twists, all framed in the comedic duo's light-hearted escapades. The direction of De Palma, more known for his thrillers, shines through the comedic landscape. He skilfully balances elements of comedy, suspense, and emotions to create a movie that treads a thin line between a heart-warming story of two friends and a more dark, thrilling crime narrative.

In conclusion, Wise Guys is a delightful mix of comedy and crime where DeVito and Piscopo shine as two unlikely leads plunged into a world far too chaotic for their simple lives. Despite their missteps, their friendship continues to fall into place, giving the audience a hearty laugh, a few suspenseful moments, and a warm feeling. Wise Guys is an uncommon blend of themes that defy genres and stereotypes, making it a unique cinematic experience.