The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984)

Director:

Stuart Rosenberg

Writers:

Vincent Patrick (novel)
Vincent Patrick (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 June 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Plot:

Charlie and his troublesome cousin Paulie decide to steal $150000 in order to back a "sure thing" race horse that Paulie has inside information on...

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Drugged Drink | Dancing | Racetrack | Waiter

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Eric Roberts	...	Paulie
Mickey Rourke	...	Charlie
Daryl Hannah	...	Diane
Geraldine Page	...	Mrs. Ritter
Kenneth McMillan	...	Barney
Tony Musante	...	Pete
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Burns
Burt Young	...	Bed Bug Eddie
Jack Kehoe	...	Bunky
Philip Bosco	...	Paulie's Father
Val Avery	...	Nunzi
Joe Grifasi	...	Jimmy the Cheese Man
Tony DiBenedetto	...	Ronnie
Ronald Maccone	...	Nicky
Betty Miller	...	Nora

Also Known As:

Village Dreams (Europe: English title)

Runtime:

121 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

While being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Geraldine Page was on-screen for only 8 minutes.

Goofs:

Continuity: Charlie's hairstyle changes between shots while he and Diane argue (leading to the revelation that she is pregnant).

Quotes:

Charlie: Mister. I am the Pope, this might be your church, right now I'm the Pope of Greenwich Village 'cause I got the tape alright?
Bedbug Eddie: I like you have balls. I don't get too mad at that.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Catalina Caper (#3.4)" (1990)

Soundtrack:

Summer Wind

Deserves to be better remembered

Rourke & Roberts pre-fame.

Charlie Moran (Rourke) seemed more like an Irish hood instead of an Italian. Rourke basically set a trend on the type of characters he plays. He's basically re-did this role again and again. And why not? He's great at it.

Eric Roberts is a chronic over actor. But unlike most, he can be so entertaining. Watching him chew the scenery here was the most fun. The whole "He should die, die, die...." scene after they get fired in the beginning is still a corker.

Daryl Hannah is not the best actress, but she seemed to thrive here as Charlie's straight girlfriend.

And kudos to Walsh, Young, McMillan (R.I.P), and the brilliant Geraldine Page (also R.I.P) for their roles. Page almost stole the film.

And I think Bedbug Eddie (Young) was based on the late NYC mafia leader Fat Tony Salerno. He also conducted most of his business in a no frills back room. He also didn't drink.

Good character study.