‘Prizzi’s Honor’ at 40: How John and Angelica Huston made history together with his penultimate pict…

Released on June 14, 1985, Prizzi’s Honor marked the penultimate film of legendary director John Huston and remains one of the most unique mob films in cinema history. Based on Richard Condon’s 1982 novel, the film delivered a sharp blend of black comedy, romantic entanglements, and violent loyalty, all wrapped in the classic stylings of a Huston production.

At its core, Prizzi’s Honor follows mob hitman Charley Partanna, played by Jack Nicholson, as he falls for Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner), only to discover that she’s not only connected to a man he was ordered to kill, but is secretly an assassin herself. The Prizzi family, ever-calculating, has hired the two lovers to kill each other, setting off a whirlwind of betrayal and shifting loyalties.

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While later films like Mr. & Mrs. Smith took a similar premise and leaned into action-comedy, Huston’s version remains rooted in irony and pathos. Nicholson’s Charley is portrayed with a subtle comedic undertone—reportedly, Huston instructed Nicholson to “remember, he’s stupid.” This contrast between deadpan humor and deadly consequence elevates the film beyond standard mob narratives.

Anjelica Huston’s Breakout and Oscar Glory

Perhaps the film’s most lasting legacy is the rise of Anjelica Huston. Cast as Maerose, the estranged daughter of the Prizzi clan and Charley’s ex, her role was pivotal. However, her casting was not welcomed at first. In her memoir Watch Me, Anjelica recalled industry resistance, where producers dismissed her talent and insisted she was only considered because of her father and then-boyfriend Jack Nicholson.

Despite the pushback, Anjelica delivered a performance that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. It was the only Oscar win for Prizzi’s Honor out of its eight nominations, which included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

This win also made history: John Huston became the only director to have guided both his father (Walter Huston in The Treasure of Sierra Madre) and his daughter (Anjelica Huston) to Oscar victories. At 79, Huston also became the oldest nominee for Best Director at the time.

A Classic That Still Resonates

Though it didn’t sweep the Oscars—losing out to Out of Africa—Prizzi’s Honor was a sleeper hit in a year packed with cinematic heavyweights. Its dark humor, intricate character relationships, and sharp writing have helped it endure as a cult classic.

With its mix of tragedy and absurdity, Prizzi’s Honor is a testament to John Huston’s ability to find levity in violence and meaning in madness. It remains one of the finest mob films ever made—and a defining moment in the careers of both Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston.

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Film Information:
Title: Prizzi’s Honor
Director: John Huston
Writers: Richard Condon (novel & screenplay), Janet Roach
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Kathleen Turner, Anjelica Huston
Release Date: June 14, 1985
Runtime: 2 hr 10 mins
Genre: Black Comedy / Crime / Drama