Conversely, "Tribune" reviewer Gene Siskel gave the film a score of three out of four stars. While he described the first reel as "disastrous," he added that the film included "truly funny work by enormously talented supporting players." Roger Ebert was in full agreement with Siskel on "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies" and they gave the film "two thumbs up". "Variety" stated the film was an "intermittently amusing throwback to gangster comedies of the 1930s. While dominated by star Sylvester Stallone and heavy doses of production and costume design, pic is most distinguished by sterling turns by superb character actors." Kathleen Maher of "The Austin Chronicle" gave the film three out of five stars, commending Stallone's performance: "I'm not used to having much good to say about the guy, but Stallone has evidenced a nascient sense of humor before, and here he allows it to blossom."