MICKEY BLUE EYES
UK, 1999, 101 minutes, Colour.
Hugh Grant, James Caan, Jean Tripplehorn, Burt Young, James Fox.
Directed by Kelly Makin.
Mickey Blue Eyes is a British comedy which is set mainly in the United States. It is a star vehicle for Hugh Grant, a
production with his then partner Liz Hurley. Grant had established himself in the mid to late 70s as a character
actor but emerged during the 1990s as a very elegant comedian. His films of that period range from the very famous Four Weddings and a Funeral to Sirens and then to his success in Notting Hill. Mickey Blue Eyes emerged after Notting Hill. He then went on to make some films in Hollywood including Woody Allen's Small-Time? Crooks. Later successful films in the UK included Bridget Jones' Diary, About a Boy and his turn as the British prime minister in Love Actually.
The film is a gangster movie, with Hugh Grant being mistaken for a Mafioso, marrying into a Mafioso family with wife Jean Tripplehorn and her father, a comic Mafia turn by James Caan (who had been one of the main stars of The Godfather). There is a humorous scene where James Caan tries to teach Hugh Grant how to be a Mafioso in style and in speech patterns.
It is not a startling comedy, but it is a pleasant entertainment.
1.An entertaining romantic comedy and romantic parody?
A star vehicle for Hugh Grant, relying on his charm, screen persona, mannerisms? His attempts at imitating a New York gangster?
2.The aerial New York opening and the setting of the scene? The art world and the auction hall, the homes, offices, restaurants? Atmosphere?
3.The musical score and the range of songs - to suit the plot and characters?
4.The quality of the humour, jokes, satire and parody?
5.Michael and his work, the auction, his joking his way through his work, the frustration at the lack of deliveries and having to sign? James Fox as his British boss - and his very British mannerisms? His assistant and her concern? Fiancee and the meeting, rushing and running down the street, the comic sequence of the proposal in the Chinese restaurant with the fortune cookie and the owner present? The puzzle about Gina's father?
6.Going to the house, the concierge ringing through, the concierge and his jovial manner and punching Michael? The proposal and meeting Frank, Frank wanting Michael to go through the formalities of asking his permission for his daughter? Meeting Don Vito and all the others at the La Trattoria?
7.Gina's reaction, pointing out the criminal history of each of her relatives? The talk about lies? Promises that can't be kept? Little concessions? Michael at the party, meeting everyone, the decorum of meeting the family? His awkwardness in making Mafia jokes?
8.Johnny and his girlfriend, Vito supporting his son, the visual impact of his art and its mod-religious themes? Parody of art? Frank asking a small favour, the auction, the boss and his reaction to Johnny's paintings, the discussion with the old lady and her cues for bidding? Losing her hearing aid? Mickey stopping her buying the painting?
9.The FBI, their personalities, visits to the office, the interrogations?
10.The devices used by Michael for keeping Gina away from the auction? Gina and her work in the school, with the children, her friendship - and the friend whose marriage had broken up but taking all the photos?
11.Johnny coming to confront Michael about the money, the accidental shooting and his death, Gina's reaction, the cover-up? His going to Frank and blaming himself? The two families being blamed - their meeting? Frank and Michael burying the body - and the shootout with the other gangsters burying a body? Going to dinner, the parody of the Englishman learning the Mafia language and accent? The dinner, the waitress on his knee, the friend taking the photos, the overall confusion?
12.Frank and Michael at the apartment, the old lady with the cake, Michael thinking Frank was going to kill her? Frank and his explanation about the contract, the discussion about what to do?
13.The close-up of Michael being shot, the rehearsal by the FBI? The plan, the caterers? Going to buy the flowers and the explanation of the plan? Getting the clothes for the wedding? Each making a plan and not telling the others?
14.The wedding, the split-second timing to record Don Vito, the FBI, Michael using his auction techniques to attract Vito? The wrong cue, the shootings, Gina shot?
15.The raid, the arrests? The ambulance and Gina's coming to life again - and explaining what had happened? Happy ever after?
