Jerry, a misfit Mafia henchman, is assigned the low-level job of keeping an eye on Gino, a shoe repairman fingered by the Mob to confess to a murder he didn't commit. But Gino's mistaken for a Mafia boss, and the two are suddenly catapulted to the highest levels of mobster status. Only friendship will see them through this dangerous adventure alive!
Acting
Don Ameche's Oscar-worthy warmth; Mantegna's wounded tough guy.
Writing
Mamet's leanest, most humane dialogue—no con games, just people.
Direction
Unshowy confidence; every frame trusts the material.
Director
David Mamet
Don Ameche
Gino
Joe Mantegna
Jerry
Robert Prosky
Joseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincenzo
J.J. Johnston
Frankie
Ricky Jay
Mr. Silver
Mike Nussbaum
Mr. Green
Jack Wallace
Repair Shop Owner
Felicity Huffman
Wheel of Fortune Girl
William H. Macy
Billy Drake
J.T. Walsh
Hotel Manager
Charles Stransky
Scarface
Jordan Lage
Assistant Manager
Jonathan Katz
Jackie Shore
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Mamet wrote it specifically for Don Ameche after seeing him in a play; the role revived Ameche's career and led to his Cocoon Oscar.
The film inverts Mamet's usual con-man dynamics: here, the 'mark' Gino is the only honest man, and the professionals are the fakers.
US
