Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

Wonderful Movie

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Nice effects though.

As Good As It Gets

From beginning to end (appetizer to dessert) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels delivers. The opening sequence showcases Oz's comedic restraint: the charade of one of the scoundrel's compromising his principles because it benefits children forces you to smile. (Phony politicians love to say that they're doing something "for the children" when that something is purely self-serving.) Throughout the film Martin, Caine, and Headley perform flawlessly, with particularly hilarious scenes featuring Martin. The "Oh, Lady Fanny of Omaha!" ruse is priceless, as are others. Caine exhibits his superb subtly and timing. And Headley displays her acting range. The movie's "entree" satisfies to perfection.Topping things off, however, is dessert. Oz could have ended the film in the second-to-last scene and still have had a winner; however, he goes one further with the final one--and it's simply comic genius.If only more films were so complimentary of an audience's intelligence.

I have to disagree with those who do not consider this a classic. For my money, it is.Yes, it is a trifle long (but there's nothing I'd want to cut out).This film has certainly provided my family with some of its most enduring catchphrases ('Excuse me, may I go to the bathroom . . . Thank you', 'PS I kept the money. Did I do wrong?').For me the real humour is the irony in this film. Whole scenes of action and reams of dialogue take on different meanings for the viewer as more is revealed to the viewer of what is really going on. While within the action, characters with different levels of insight into what's happening understand words and actions with different meanings. It is actually very intricate and surprisingly clever - for Fozzy Bear.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a wonderful '80s comedy, the type we don't see any longer. Today the humor, for the most part, is vulgar. For some reason, in the '80s, comedies were actually funny.Michael Caine and Steve Martin are two con man who wind up competing on the Riviera. Caine is a classy con man, Lawrence Jamieson, targeting rich widows as he sports different accents claiming he's funding a revolution for his country, helping the poor, the hungry, etc. Martin is Freddy Benson, lower class but after the same targets.Freddy asks Lawrence to tutor him in the art of the high-class con. Freddy doesn't want him around as he feels the Riviera isn't big enough for both of them. Freddy, however, isn't leaving. So they agree on a bet. The first one to strip a young heiress (Glenne Headly) of $50,000 stays, and the other leaves.What follows is hilarious. Both men are at the top of their game here. Steve Martin can make you laugh with a facial expression. The scene where he attempts to "walk" after being in a wheelchair is a riot. Caine as Lawrence is brilliant as a suave sophisticate, and his getting the better of Freddy in several scenes is a delight. The end has a neat twist.This film was adapted into a successful Broadway musical, and it is opening in London starring Robert Lindsay ("My Family"). It's a fun story. Wish today we had more like this.

I love this film and everything about it, what makes it even better is the fact that it has top actors in it. What a great film... it is a very interesting film to follow, the twist at the end was also a great idea. This film did make me laugh and i could definitely watch it over and over, it never gets old. A must watch.I can't imagine anyone disliking this film, there is nothing to dislike, the film is perfect, perfect acting and well just perfect story line i guess. I do recommend people give this a try. Such a good film.I think it deserves a 9 or 10 / 10 At least.