8 HEADS IN A DUFFEL BAG (1997) ** Joe Pesci plays mobsters with less apparent difficulty than anyone, including Robert De Niro. He's probably even better than De Niro at hamming things up from that position; Pesci's mob skits on Saturday Night Live were invariably funny and his pantomime of buying a pinky ring most certainly ranks as one of the most brilliant moments in 20th century American television. In the midst of a good looking cast it is the swaddling duckling Pesci who stands out as heroic and gets to say "fuck" the most (well challenged in the latter by Ernestine Mercer who might have been able to keep up down the stretch with more lines). No doubt about it, very short-haired George Hamilton looks down his nose well as the successful businessman still battling for position with his mother, Dyan Cannon is the incarnation of the west coast beauty who defies time and she delivers at least one line with absolute comedic perfection, and Kristy Swanson (also with hair way too short) is well cast as the California girl with everything but nothing working for her. So there are lots of good bits running around, the severed heads are so rubberized sans blood that they are never more oppressive than a tire commercial, and things can never go too far awry with the promise of Pesci showing back up soon. It's also not good enough to preclude a nap if you're so inclined-near perfect Saturday afternoon faire.
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