Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Joan Cusack, and Carol Kane in a film with a script by Nora Ephron? It may not have ended up a complete winner, but damn if I didn’t find it charming, and watching Martin pretend to be a member of an Italian crime family who is part of the Witness Relocation Program was priceless.

Vinnie Antonelli (Martin) has agreed to testify in open court against a mafia don. To keep him safe until then, he’s been housed in the small town of Fryburg with FBI agent, Barney Coopersmith (Moranis) as his chaperon.

Vinnie, despite the small town, suburb location can’t seem to change his criminal spots, and comedy ensues, as he runs afoul of the local District Attorney, Hannah Stubbs (Cusack). Coopersmith has to constantly keep him out of trouble, but like in the best of buddy stories, they begin to have an effect on one another, offering a different take on like.

Coopersmith loosens up a bit, and realizes a romantic potential with Hannah, and Vinnie begins to see there’s more to the community than his crime family (though a large number of them have been hidden in the same town).

Martin is delightful as Vinnie, with his big swagger really standing out as he attempts to fit in with the small town locals. Moranis, in turn, is charming, and knows how to really make a comedic moment work.

And while the pacing doesn’t always work, and the story can be a little goofy, and definitely goes for a saccharine sweet ending, it still has an undeniable charm. And I love that Cusack is cast as the romantic lead alongside Moranis, she’s an actress who doesn’t get enough credit I feel, and really makes Hannah believable and dedicated, not only as a DA but as a mother.

It’s filled with great music, and I love the use of chapter cards, especially with how it ties in with the ending of the film.

I quite enjoyed this one, I didn’t love it, but it had a charm, and I love watching Steve Martin, he’s a comedic legend, and pairing him with Moranis is just a joy.

Hard to believe this was Ephron’s follow-up script after When Harry Met Sally. I feel that it may have been written before it. it’s not quite as even as Harry is. It just lacks the polish that Reiner’s film did.

That doesn’t mean it’s not fun, it’s just not on the same level. Still, it does have a sense of fun about it.