Corky Romano

Let me tell you something. I can only remember about this movie because of Vinessa Shaw wearing a skimpy, sexy mini nurse dress. Ohhh, that memory helps me when I'm sad.

Seriously, "Corky Romano" is the goofiest movie you can get in terms of spoofing crime/mafia cinema. It's that goofy, that makes the Wayans Brothers look serious! To be honest and quick; watch this movie only if scatological humor, extreme cheese, and goofy performances make you laugh.

Otherwise, don't watch it. I watched it on the theaters and well I had a decent time with it but it was back in 2001 when I was still 17.

Probably the only thing that got the movie up to a four for me is the fact that I love Peter Falk. One of the world's great portrayers of bumbling incompetence . . . and yet he is one of the only anchors that prevents this from being a chaotic disaster. As Pops Romano, he provides a respectable mix of gangster charm and straight man to Chris Kattan's manic foolishness. Respectable performances are also offered by Richard Roundtree as the harried boss, Vinessa Shaw as a talented female FBI agent bouncing her head off a glass ceiling and Fred Ward as Falk's advisor and Benedict Arnold.

The plot concept actually has some wonderful possibilities and, in the hands of a young Steve Martin or Chevy Chase, could have proved a great comedic vehicle. Kattan, who seems to idolize Ernest or Pee Wee Herman, just provides a muddled mess. Sadly, Peter Berg and Chris Penn, who portray his misfit brothers, both fall far short of their proven capability.

There are some very funny scenes, but they are far too few and separated by way too many boring ones. What I truly miss here is what always attracted me to the Leslie Neilsen movies. There is no 'second level' of wit riding over the slapstick. No cultural references that only the adults get. . no double entendre. . it is just silly.

And, by the way, this doesn't all mean that I am recommending it for your 9-year-old, because hopefully they have better taste and less fascination with some of their body parts and their functions.

When the mobster Francis A. 'Pops' Romano (Peter Folk) is sent to the court, the Romano family decides to send an undercover man to destroy the evidences against him without knowing that there is an informer in mafia. The clumsy loser veterinary son Corky Romano (Chris KattaN), who is not a criminal, is infiltrated in the FBI to destroy the evidences against his father.

Based on the bad reviews in IMDb, I saw "Corky Romano" with the lowest expectation I could have, but I liked it. The story is silly, but there are many funny situations. The lead character is a completely a**hole, but all his mistakes work in the end. It is also worthwhile to see also the sexy Vinessa Shaw. Do not think, watch this film with low expectation and in the end you might be surprised laughing a lot. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A Arma Secreta da Máfia" ("The Mafia's Secret Weapon")

I find this film very funny. The jokes are hilarious, and the ending is great.

Chris Kattan of SNL is Corky Romano, the son of a mafia boss a.k.a. "Pops" Romano, played by Peter Faulk. After a heart-attack Pops must get someone to infiltrate the FBI and get rid of any evidence against him. Because his other two sons, one illiterate,and one gay(although he "hides it well" as the movie says)already have crime records, they must bring in Corky, who, after being kicked out of the family after his mother died, has become an assistant veterinarian. Reluctantly, Corky decides to infiltrate the FBI and destroy the evidence against his father.

Although people complain against the plot holes in this movie, it's really the whole point. It's not to be taken seriously. I mean anyone who takes a slapstick comedy seriously has a very severe problem. But judging by comments on this movie, I guess some people do. This movie also has some other problems(to be ignored) especially the character change in Corky from the brains of a Pre-schooler to the brains of an adult at the end. Although that's probably because he was supposed to get smarter the longer he was in the FBI. Still, I don't really care about that. And although the comedy was at some times not funny(the mouth to mouth dog scene), one scene made up for everything. The "A question!" Scene where Corky is high on Cocaine(I won't spoil the scene don't worry). I loved that scene. And if you rent it, rent it on DVD so you can see the HILARIOUS extended skin head scene. Why was this cut from the movie? that and the question scene were the best!

Anyway, I thought this movie was hilarious, it's not really a great comedy, but it's one you can watch over and over a couple times and still laugh. It was much better than I was lead to believe by reviews. 3.5/5 stars