When Hugh Grant went through his “troubles” a few years ago, many thought that he was the biggest sleezeball on the planet. Whether or not this is true, he is still a great actor, and he proves it in “Mickey Blue Eyes.”

Michael Felgate (Grant) runs an auction house in New York City. Right off the bat, the movie shows his charm during an auction. Making jokes and keeping things light, Grant’s acting makes you forget his past.

Michael is in love with his girlfriend of three months, Gina (Jeanne Tripplehorn), but she is hiding something — her mobster family.

One night, Michael decides to propose to Gina despite the fact that he has never met her family. He pops the question, and she denies him and runs away.

In an attempt to track her down, he goes to the restaurant her father, Frank (James Caan), owns in Little Italy. He meets the family, and they fall in love with him instantly.

Frank and Michael go home to Frank’s house where Gina is staying. Gina reveals that the reason she doesn’t want to get married is because she doesn’t want Michael to get involved with her family’s “business.” Michael tells her that he will not accept any favors from her family or do any favors for them. He is confident that such a promise will keep him from becoming involved with the mob.

The agreement lasts until two days later, when a painting of Jesus killing people with a machine gun, drawn by Gina’s cousin Johnny, shows up in his office.

At first, Michael refuses to put it on his auction. However, Frank soon convinces him that it will not happen again, and if he doesn’t do it, certain people will get very angry.

The painting sells for $50,000 to a bidder who coincidentally owes Gina’s uncle that same amount.

The next day, the FBI come to Michael’s office and question him about what went on. He lies about his associations with the mob, and sure enough, he is now involved.

Frank talks Michael into auctioning one last gruesome painting. When he accidentally sells it for too much money, Johnny, who is a few fries short of a happy meal, comes to collect his leftover commission. As soon as he shows up, things get a little rough. When Gina fires a warning shot, it ricochets off the ceiling and kills Johnny.

By this time, Gina has called off the wedding because Michael lied to her. However, Michael takes the blame for the accidental killing because he doesn’t want Gina to get into trouble with her family.

When Johnny’s father finds out, he puts a hit out on Michael, but he makes Frank do the killing to get him back for lying about the situation.

Frank and Michael work out a plan with the FBI that involves catching the uncle and Frank shooting Michael with blanks.

The ending is unsuspected, deterring you from the predictions that were made when you saw the previews.

“Mickey Blue Eyes” provides very clever comedy and mixes a serious mobster life with humor, just enough to avoid any cheesy moments.

Grant excels throughout the movie with one of his best performances yet and keeps you laughing and smiling throughout.

Tripplehorn is beautiful, talented and very underrated. She does a wonderful job displaying all of her emotions in a nonchalant manner and looks good in anything she wears.

Caan puts up an average performance, which would be a pretty good performance for others. Though Caan has played a mobster before, seeing him play one again is like seeing Woody Harrelson as a basketball player — it’s sometimes hard to believe.

The movie drags in a few places but hides the humor just enough to keep you tuned in at all times.

There really isn’t anything to complain about in this film, but there’s nothing to rant and rave about either.

If you want a good laugh, check out “Mickey Blue Eyes.” It’s easier to watch if you don’t imagine Grant as someone who was caught soliciting prostitution.

Rather, think of him as a gentleman.

3 stars

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Kyle Moss is a sophomore in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale.