Married to the Mob (VHS, 1994)

Michelle Pfeiffer established herself as an adept actress with this colorful comedy from director Jonathan Demme (SOMETHING WILD, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS). The wife of Mafia hitman Frank "Cucumber" De Marco (Alec Baldwin), the irrepressibly brassy Angela (Pfeiffer) finds herself unhappy with their shady lifestyle, and wants out. When Frank is murdered by mob boss Tony "The Tiger" Russo (Dean Stockwell), she uses the opportunity to move to New York, get a job and go straight. But as soon as she thinks she's out, Tony wants her as his next mistress. Tony's jealous wife (Mercedes Ruehl) threatens to kill her, and a master-of-disguise FBI agent (Mathew Modine) follows her every move, and then falls in love with her. Through all the colorful insanity, Demme keeps the action on target, and the emphasis on quirky characters. A game supporting cast includes: Joann Cusack, Oliver Platt, Tracey Walter, and Jamaican singer Sister Carol. Chris Isaak, Todd Solondz, "Grampa" Al Lewis, and David Johansen are some of the many cameos. Pricelessly gaudy costume designs and a spontaneous sense of fun help make this one of the classic comedies of the 1980's.