Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- rambunctious
- profane
- lazy weekend
- retro comedy night
What critics said
Critics were divided, with some praising the abundant gags and performances while others found the comedy limp, visually dull, and meandering.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry and Moe's debt, assassination assignment, and mob connections generate broad comic situations.
Harry and Moe are separately offered the chance to eliminate each other but continue navigating danger together.
The botched racetrack bet leaves the pair owing $250,000 and triggers the film's escalating crisis.
Brian De Palma's direction applies his recognizable formal sensibility to chases, mob violence, and exaggerated comic set pieces.
Films like Wise Guys, and why
Midnight Run
crime comedy, mismatched buddy partnership, and escalating mob trouble
Married to the Mob
gangster farce, frantic criminal entanglements, and broad comic performances
The In-Laws
buddy comedy driven by criminal schemes, foul-mouthed banter, and chaotic reversals
Get Shorty
darkly comic mob world, stylized direction, and hapless criminals under pressure
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Release Date
- 1986-04-17
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (129)
Cast
- Danny DeVito
- Joe Piscopo
- Harvey Keitel
- Ray Sharkey
- Dan Hedaya
- Louis Albano
- Julie Bovasso
- Patti LuPone
- Antonia Rey
- Mimi Cecchini
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- TCM
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Wise Guys about?
- Two bungling Newark mob goons must survive a $250,000 debt and an assignment to kill each other.
- What is Wise Guys like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wise Guys as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Wise Guys violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Wise Guys as moderate.
- What did critics think of Wise Guys?
- Critics were divided, with some praising the abundant gags and performances while others found the comedy limp, visually dull, and meandering.
- Which films are like Wise Guys?
- Films with a similar feel include Midnight Run, Married to the Mob, The In-Laws, and Get Shorty.
- How long is Wise Guys?
- Wise Guys runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Wise Guys?
- In United States, Wise Guys streams on TCM.
