Wise Guys (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Wise Guys is a 1986 crime comedy directed by Brian De Palma, starring Danny DeVito, Joe Piscopo and Dan Hedaya. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $8.5 million worldwide. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Brian De Palma
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Wise Guys About?
The premise of Wise Guys without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
During the 1950s in New York City, ambitious gangster Vito Genovese plots to overthrow the established crime boss, Frank Costello. Their escalating conflict sparks a dangerous and darkly humorous struggle for dominance over the city’s criminal underworld, filled with betrayal, violence, and shifting alliances. The power struggle tests loyalties and leads to unforeseen consequences for everyone involved.
Wise Guys Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- dark comedy
- buddy comedy
- buddy film
- gangster movie
- shopping montage
- fast motion scene
- gambling
- debt
- godfather
- hitman
- delicatessen
- attempted murder
+38 more Show fewer
- stolen car
- cadillac
- atlantic city new jersey
- hotel casino
- blank bullets
- faked death
- fake death
- fake funeral
- attempted suicide by hanging
- suicide attempt by hanging
- attempted suicide
- suicide attempt
- fake suicide
- fake suicide note
- suicide note
- house explosion
- horse race betting
- betting
- fixed horserace
- dead uncle
- urn
- church
- mobster
- pedicure
- toenails
- kiss on the forehead
- rottweiler
- dog pit
- shot in the back
- shot in a church
- murdered in a church
- stolen credit card
- credit card declined
- gas
- bad luck
- car
- reference to jackie robinson
- newark new jersey
Wise Guys Cast
Danny DeVito leads the cast, with Joe Piscopo and Dan Hedaya. Directed by Brian De Palma; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Brian De Palma
Also Starring in Wise Guys
· 6 moreWise Guys Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Wise Guys 62 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 62 Metascore
See on Metacritic
Wise Guys Plot Summary
What happens in Wise Guys from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Newark, New Jersey, the lives of two underdogs cross paths in a comedic tale of ambition and mafia hardship. Here, we meet Harry Valentini (Danny DeVito), an Italian American with aspirations bigger than his current predicament, alongside his Jewish friend and neighbor, Moe Dickstein (Joe Piscopo). They find themselves stuck at the very bottom of the totem pole within the gang run by the formidable Newark Mafia boss, Anthony Castelo (Dan Hedaya). Tasked with menial chores—like picking up dry cleaning, caring for Castelo’s goldfish, and even testing bullet-proof jackets—Harry and Moe dream of one day opening a unique Jewish-Italian delicatessen. However, their lofty ambitions are often met with derision and scorn from both their boss and the rest of the gang members.
Full summary
The whole story of Wise Guys, scene by scene
Wise Guys Box Office
Wise Guys grossed $8.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.5M
- US & Canada
- $8.5M
Wise Guys Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Wise Guys.
How Well Do You Know Wise Guys?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the Italian American character played by Danny DeVito?
Cars in Wise Guys
28 cars on screen, including the 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible and the 1983 Mercury Cougar.
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1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Main role -
1983 Mercury Cougar Important role -
1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Minor role -
1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine Minor role
Wise Guys Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Wise Guys - Zwei ausgeschlafene Jungs” and “Wise Guys - 2 ausgeschlafene Jungs”.
- Also known as
-
- Wise Guys - Zwei ausgeschlafene Jungs
- Wise Guys - 2 ausgeschlafene Jungs
- Zwei Superpflaumen in der Unterwelt
- Mafia salad
- Cadaveri e compari
- Мошенники
- Wise Guys – Zwei Superpflaumen in der Unterwelt
- Ważniaki
- Всезнайковци
- Dos tipos geniales
- Quem Tudo Quer
- Tudo Perde
+3 more Show fewer
- Nagyokosok
- Smarta killar
- Розумники
Seen Wise Guys?
Movies Like Wise Guys
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Wise Guys, Mr. Wise Guy and Tough Guys.
Wise Guys FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Wise Guys, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Wise Guys?
Wise Guys runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Wise Guys released?
Wise Guys was released on April 18, 1986.
Who directed Wise Guys?
Wise Guys was directed by Brian De Palma.
More films by Brian De Palma Who is in the cast of Wise Guys?
Wise Guys stars Danny DeVito, Joe Piscopo and Dan Hedaya, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Wise Guys make at the box office?
Wise Guys grossed $8.5 million worldwide.
How is Wise Guys rated?
Wise Guys has 62 on Metacritic.
Does Wise Guys have a post-credit scene?
No. Wise Guys has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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