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Film: The Godson
It's so funny, it's a crime!
Some wise guys aren't so smart.

What happens when Bob Hoge directs a gangster movie in a manner akin to the Zucker brothers.

The film begins as Sunny Calzone, the #1 son in a mafia family, has a passionate love scene interrupted by a bunch of assassins. After being shot repeatedly, run over, attacked by a raptor, and nearly blown up by a car bomb, Sunny ends up tripping over his shoelaces and knocking his head against a fire hydrant.

Cut ahead to Sunny's funeral, where we are introduced to the film's protagonist: Guiseppe "the guppy" Calzone, the family's #3 son, played by Kevin McDonald. As his oldest brother is now dead, and the #2 son has been banished for committing an unthinkable act, it is his job to take up his ailing father's position and lead the Calzone crime family into a new era. Along the way, he must deal with problems such as bankruptcy, the CIA, and a rival mafia family that wants to bring the Calzones to their knees.

Not to be confused with the french crime picture Le Samourai, which was re-titled "The Godson" in some American markets''.

This film provides examples of:

  • Affectionate Parody: To movies such as The Godfather.
  • Credits Gag
    • Rubber Dolly...."Elaine."
    • Paraphrased: "No people were harmed during the making of this film...but we blew the s*#@ out of that cab."
  • Getting Crap Past the Radar: The movie is rated 14A. At least one scene involves both a condom and a Prison Rape joke.
  • Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Lampshaded when those exact words are used as the #2 son's wife talks describes her job during the final scenes.
  • No Fourth Wall: At one point, Guppy tries to talk the audience into buying "The Godson" merchandise to help solve his bankruptcy problem.
  • Not Quite Dead: During the funeral, it's revealed to the audience that the about-to-be-buried Sunny Calzone is still alive. He escapes in time for the final scenes...which occur six months after he was buried.
  • Wholesome Crossdresser: Bugsy...I mean, 'Alice.'

GiaFilms of the 1990sGods And Monsters

alternative title(s): The Godson
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