Customer Reviews

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Widescreen)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A classic. I will always love this movie as a perfect example of Steve Martin's abilities and Michael Caine's sly personality. The only thing that would make this better is a widescreen version or better yet blu-ray.

Laurence Jamieson (Michael Caine) is a sophisticated confidence man that has be praying on the Riviera so long that he is even in the good graces of the local law enforcement. He crosses paths with an other "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel" Fred Benson (Steve Martin) who is more on the nickel and dime level. After a fails attempt to shake Fred off Laurence decides to shape him up. Thy have to compete against the unknown predator only known as the jackal.

Can Fred learn the finer points of relieving people of their monetary endowment?

Or will everyone fall prey to the jackal?

They could not have picked better people for the parts as the actors seem to have put a lot of their own personalities into the roles.

Why do I love this movie so much? Clever dialogue, twists, predictable, yes but still funny, elegant setting, odd ball pairing, bad French accents...What more can you ask for in a movie. I love it all, especially Martin as Ruprecht, and the reactions he elicits.

Michael Duranko
www.bootism.com

A great comedy about con-men. Steve Martin will have you on the floor laughing and Michael Caine is brilliant as always. Directed perfectly by Frank Oz. This is a must see.

I can't believe this movie is a decade and a half old! Neither will you when you view it again (or for the first time). The cinematography is fresh and the comedy is timeless.

The story revolves around a simple American con-man (brilliantly played by Steve Martin) who specializes in charming wealthy women out of whatever charity he can manage to swindel. That is, until he stumbles on to the master (Michael Caine), a suave ultra-swank European who doesn't go for the fast buck, but rather for the slow millions.

The difference in their styles, as Martin invades Caine's comfortable European playground (and then ultimately decide to work together) make for extreme comedy. However, not the Jim Carrey slapstick that's been so popular lately, rather, this is infinitely more subtle in it's buildup, but "net net" as funny as most of the best contemporary comedy out there.

If you have yet to see this film, count yourself lucky. Buy this DVD and give yourself 15 minutes to get into it. You won't be disappointed. For those of you who have seen it and are thinking about buying. Do it. It's one of the few DVD's in my collection I frequently watch and enjoy.

Hope this was helpful to you.

Christian Hunter

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" has panache, slapstick, clever con hijinks, some gorgeous scenery of the beautiful French oceanside, a wacky Steve Martin peeing in his pants at the dinner table, and a debonair Michael Caine changing his impersonations as often as his hat.

Plus, a great ending.

MGM has done a fairly surprising job with the feature-rich DVD. Apart from a couple of standard theatrical trailers, it has a complete altenative track from Frank Oz (director) which is quite funny overall. Next up is a six and a half minute "behind the scenes" featurette including interviews with director Frank Oz, Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, and the writer. In short, MGM has done a pretty decent job with this DVD.

Recommended purchase.

Though it may not be laugh out loud funny all the way through, this is truly one of the most clever and underappreciated comedies of all time. Steve Martin is in top form here, but who would have thought Michael Caine would steal the show in a comedy. He is brilliant and believable here and makes for a great contrast when compared with Martin's loud eccentric character. I just bought this movie for cheap without ever seeing it before and I am glad I did. I would have paid twice as much to own this movie. One of my favorite comedies now and proves smart can be funny, if done the right way.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, didn't really do all that great at the box office, during its original run in 1988. The amazing thing is though, after watching the film as a rental, I can safely say that the comedy deserves a look. It's funnier than I expected it to be.

Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) is a small-time con man and slob, sleazing his way through Europe, on whatever handouts he can scam. While Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine), on the other hand, is an impeccably dressed and high-minded artiste who thinks Freddy is giving him - and all con men - a bad name. At first, Lawrence agrees to help Freddy spruce up his talents and his wardrobe. But when it becomes apparent that the Riviera isn't big enough for the both of them, they make a winner-take-all bet over the fortunes of a naive American soap heiress Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly). The first one to "clean her out" can make the other clear out - and keep the Riviera and its unsuspecting tourists to himself--free of any competition from the other.

Martin and Caine are quite funny, playing opposite ends of the same profession of theivery. Each one of them take smarmy to a whole new level. I had no idea that the film's script was concocted by Paul Henning, the man behind such "fish out of water" tv situation comedies, such as Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies. The difference here though is that these fish have no redeeming qualities whatsoever and will do anything to get ahead in the game...Headly is pitch perfect as the counter balance to the two male leads. Director Frank Oz, the man behind muppets Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear, as well as Jedi Master Yoda in the Star Wars films, directs the free for all. The film is lighthearted and fun. The kind where you leave your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride.

The DVD doesn't have much in the way of extras...but what it does have is a solid audio commentary from Oz. Like the film itself, the track is, breezy and easy going. The behind-the-scenes featurette is good but only runs a scant 7 minutes. There are also two theatrical trailers and that's it.

If you are looking for a hidden gem, among the lumps of rock out there, then Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, will fit the bill. It makes a great rental

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a funny movie that benefits greatly from the performances of its two main stars. Freddy Benson is a loud, crass American con man traveling through Europe by conning women out of money. Lawrence Jamieson is a suave, mannerly con man who has already established himself in the con business. The two meet up and at first are unwilling allies, but things go south quickly. In a duel of the cons, the two men see who can get $50,000 from a rich American heiress first. The loser has to leave town. The duel between Martin and Caine is the best part of the movie as they try to outdue each other. This isn't your usual Steve Martin but Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is still worth a watch.

Steve Martin and Michael Caine are great together as dueling con-men, Freddy Benson and Lawrence Jamieson. Martin's physical humor and Caine's dry humor work very well together. Glenne Headly plays Janet Colgate, the heiress they are trying to con the money out of. The movie also stars Anton Rodgers and Barbara Harris. The DVD offers the widescreen presentation of the movie and commentary from director Frank Oz. For a funny movie with great roles for Steve Martin and Michael Caine, check out Dirty Rotten Scoundrels!

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is a great comedy. Martin & Caine have terrific on-screen chemistry and their performances in this film can still reduce me to a squalking, teary-eyed viewer. Terrific pacing keeps this movie buoyant at all times, even as the movie approaches its 20th anniversary.

There are two DVD editions. The first was from Orion/Image. It was a "no-frills" release, containing the movie only. Mercifully, that version is out of print although I have seen some unscrupulous sellers hyping that fact as a selling point. Don't be fooled.

Get the current edition on MGM DVD. Watch out for similar cover artwork. The current MGM offering has Martin & Caine standing in front of palm trees. (The no-frills disc has them standing in front of a bunch of beach umbrellas.)

With the current edition, you will enjoy an anamorphic widescreen transfer (better image quality than standard letterboxing). They are also including the original teaser trailer which brilliantly set up one's expectations without revealing ANY of the actual movie. Frank Oz (director) provides an interesting scene-by-scene audio commentary.

Enjoy!