Married to the Mob

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Married to the Mob is a 1988 American crime romantic comedy directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Angela de Marco, a Long Island housewife who is tired of her mobster husband’s life, and Matthew Modine as an undercover FBI agent who is trying to gather evidence on her mafia connections. Other key players include Dean Stockwell, Mercedes Ruehl, and Alec Baldwin. The story mixes laughs with crime drama as Angela becomes involved with the FBI agent while still dealing with the mob boss Tony “The Tiger” Russo and her dead husband’s world.

Plot in simple terms:
Angela is fed up with being part of her husband Frank’s gangster life. After Frank is killed for being unfaithful to their mob boss Tony Russo, Angela tries to move on with her son Joey. Tony suspects Angela might turn on him, and he pressures her. FBI agents Mike Downey (who goes undercover as a guy named Mike Smith) and his partner Ed Benitez start watching Angela, hoping she’ll help them take down Tony. Angela and Downey grow closer, and she eventually agrees to assist the FBI. The investigation leads them to Miami, where a dangerous showdown with Tony’s men occurs. In the end, Tony is convicted for murder, and Angela begins a new life with Downey.

Production and style:
The film was shot on Long Island and in Brooklyn, New York. The score was composed by David Byrne, and the movie features the notable song Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus. The opening credits included Mambo Italiano, which isn’t part of the official soundtrack. Jonathan Demme has a playful, busy directorial style that adds energy and humor to the gangster story. Pfeiffer’s performance is a standout, and Stockwell and Ruehl also receive strong praise.

Reception:
Married to the Mob opened in 1988 and earned about $21 million on a $10 million budget. Critics largely liked it, calling it a lively mix of comedy and crime with a strong central performance by Pfeiffer. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a high approval rating, and Metacritic reflects generally favorable reviews. Pfeiffer received Golden Globes consideration for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, and Stockwell earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film is noted for its stylish, over-the-top humor and its light-hearted look at crime life from a suburban perspective.