Character Relationship Map: Wise Guys

Characters

• Harry Valentini (played by Danny DeVito) — protagonist

  Harry Valentini is a low-level member of a Newark gang and Moe Dickstein’s Jewish-Italian partner and next-door neighbor. He performs humiliating jobs for his boss, causes their disastrous racetrack d...

• Moe Dickstein (played by Joe Piscopo) — protagonist

  Moe Dickstein is Harry Valentini’s Jewish friend, neighbor, and partner in the gang’s lowest-level work. Forced into a deadly bargain with Harry, he flees after accidentally shooting him, hides at the...

• Bobby DiLea (played by Harvey Keitel) — supporting

  Bobby DiLea is an old friend of Harry Valentini and Moe Dickstein who owns the hotel where they seek refuge in Atlantic City. He initially appears to betray them by arranging their departure with a da...

• Marco (played by Ray Sharkey) — supporting

  Marco is Harry Valentini’s cousin, whose murder frightens Harry and Moe and convinces them that they must flee. His death becomes a major turning point: the two steal a Cadillac and travel to Atlantic...

• Anthony Castelo (played by Dan Hedaya) — supporting

  Anthony Castelo is the Newark Mafia boss who employs Harry Valentini and Moe Dickstein at the bottom of his organization. After a fixed racetrack bet leaves them owing him $250,000, he tortures them,...

• Frank "The Fixer" Acavano (played by Louis Albano) — supporting

  Frank "The Fixer" Acavano is one of Anthony Castelo’s top men and a violent enforcer. He accompanies Harry Valentini and Moe Dickstein to the racetrack, later becomes the target of their Cadillac thef...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Frank "The Fixer" Acavano → Harry Valentini (Professional Enforcer) — Acavano functions as Castelo's violent enforcement arm against Harry.

  Harry and Moe accompany Acavano to the racetrack, and Acavano later drives the stolen Cadillac and helps pursue them.

• Anthony Castelo → Moe Dickstein (Power Boss) — Moe is also trapped beneath Castelo's authority.

  Moe works with Harry in Castelo's gang and is subjected to Castelo's demands and punishment.

• Anthony Castelo → Harry Valentini (Power Boss) — Castelo exercises direct criminal authority over Harry.

  Harry works at the bottom rung of Castelo's gang and performs Castelo's lowest jobs.

• Harry Valentini → Marco (Family Cousin) — Marco's death demonstrates the lethal consequences of Castelo's world.

  The plot describes Marco as Harry's cousin and states that his murder frightens Harry and Moe.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Bobby DiLea → Moe Dickstein (Social Old Friend) — Bobby provides the pair with temporary shelter during their flight.

  Harry and Moe stay at a hotel owned by their old friend Bobby DiLea.

• Bobby DiLea → Harry Valentini (Social Old Friend) — Bobby is a preexisting personal connection in Harry's escape plan.

  The plot calls Bobby DiLea their old friend and identifies his hotel as their place of refuge.

• Frank "The Fixer" Acavano → Moe Dickstein (Conflict Enforcer) — Acavano's discovery exposes Moe to renewed danger.

  Acavano spots Moe at Harry's funeral, after which Castelo resolves to kill Moe.

• Harry Valentini → Moe Dickstein (Alliance Teammate) — They are long-term partners who share criminal work and face danger together.

  Harry and Moe work together at the bottom of Anthony Castelo's gang and perform low-level jobs for him.

Story Analysis

Two despised mob underlings survive betrayal and violence by turning their shared dream into a clever escape.

Plot Progression

1. Bottom-Rung Dreamers — Harry and Moe perform degrading jobs for Castelo while dreaming of a Jewish-Italian delicatessen. A changed horse turns their routine assignment into a crushing debt.
2. Debt Under Threat — Castelo's punishment forces the friends to contemplate killing each other. Marco's murder convinces them that remaining in Newark is deadly.
3. Flight to Atlantic City — The pair steal Acavano's Cadillac and seek help in Atlantic City. Their refuge, available money, and apparent betrayal lead them into a casino pursuit.
4. A False Death — Moe accidentally shoots Harry, who is declared dead. Moe hides at the funeral and reaches a suicidal breaking point.
5. The Gas-Lit Escape — Harry reveals the staged death and joins Moe in constructing a trap for Castelo's crew. The explosion removes their pursuers and protects their future.