My Blue Heaven *** (1990, Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Joan Cusack, Melanie Mayron, Bill Irwin, Carol Kane, Ed Lauter, Daniel Stern) – Classic Movie Review 11,293

Director Herbert Ross’s 1990 droll comedy My Blue Heaven stars Steve Martin as bon viveur Mafia informant ‘Vinnie’ Antonelli, who is transplanted to a sleepy California town in the witness protection programme under the protection of uptight FBI agent Barney Coopersmith (Rick Moranis), and tries to charm tough district attorney Hannah Stubbs (Joan Cusack), who would rather see him behind bars.

Nora Ephron’s script dawdles at times, but there are some very funny set pieces and witty lines, there is a very nice, expert cast, and Martin’s uncanny impersonation of a cool Italian with tall hair is brilliantly inventive and unflaggingly hilarious.

Steve Martin’s uncanny impersonation of a cool Italian with tall hair.

Also in the cast are Melanie Mayron, Bill Irwin [William Irwin], Carol Kane, Ed Lauter, Daniel Stern, Colleen Camp, Deborah Rush, Julie Bovasso, William Hickey, Ron Karabatsos, Jesse Bradford, Corey Carrier, Seth Jaffe, and Robert Miranda.

It is loosely based on the life of Henry Hill, the basis of GoodFellas (1990), who went into witness protection programme. The films’ writers, Nicholas Pileggi and Nora Ephron, were husband and wife. It is fascinating how you can get two such different films out of the same material.

Nora Ephron (1941–2012).

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,293

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com