CrimeComedy

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

- Nice guys finish last. Meet the winners.

Con artist Lawrence Jamieson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the lavish fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own sophisticated work and believing him to be the infamous conman 'The Jackal', Lawrence resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, he challenges Freddy to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark, American heiress Janet Colgate, out of $50,000 first can stay, while the other must leave town.

Release Date : 1988-12-14

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Orion Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Freddy Benson

Original Name : Steve Martin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lawrence Jamieson

Original Name : Michael Caine

Gender : Male

Character Name : Janet Colgate

Original Name : Glenne Headly

Gender : Female

Character Name : Inspector Andre

Original Name : Anton Rodgers

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fanny Eubanks

Original Name : Barbara Harris

Gender : Female

Character Name : Arthur

Original Name : Ian McDiarmid

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Reed

Original Name : Dana Ivey

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lady from Oklahoma

Original Name : Meagen Fay

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lady from Palm Beach

Original Name : Frances Conroy

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lady in Dining Car

Original Name : Nicole Calfan

Gender : Female

Character Name : Miss Krista Knudsen

Original Name : Aïna Walle

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lady with Pearls

Original Name : Cheryl Pay

Gender : Male

Character Name : Marion

Original Name : Nathalie Auffret

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lady in Rolls Royce

Original Name : Lolly Susi

Gender : Female

Character Name : English Sailor #1

Original Name : Rupert Holliday-Evans

Gender : Male

Character Name : English Sailor #2

Original Name : Hepburn Graham

Gender : Male

Character Name : Hotel Bellboy

Original Name : Xavier Maly

Gender : Male

Character Name : Waiter on the Train

Original Name : André Penvern

Gender : Male

Character Name : Greek Millionaire

Original Name : Louis Zorich

Gender : Male

Character Name : Assistant Hotel Manager

Original Name : Georges Gerrard Baffos

Gender : Male

Character Name : Pretty Beach Girl

Original Name : Valerie Beaufils

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Do you ever have a single thought that originates from above the waist? Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is directed by Frank Oz and written by Dan Launer, Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning. It stars Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headly and Anton Rogers. Music is by Miles Goodman and cinematography by Michael Ballhaus. Two con-men from different ends of the spectrum, prey on women's good nature to fund their lifestyles. Both operating out of the same Mediterranean town, they agree that the town simply isn't big enough for the both of them. They strike a bet where the first one to get fifty thousand out of the chosen female target, gets to stay in town while the other has to leave. A loose remake of Bedtime Story (1964) that starred David Niven and Marlon Brando, Frank Oz's picture is deliciously amoral, sly, clever and very funny. Boosted by the casting of Caine (oily slick) and Martin (live wire bottom feeder), who are both having a wonderful time of it, the film unfolds in a whirl of bluffs, chaos conning and oneupmanship. The story is slight for sure, but as the comedy set-pieces come and go, the ribs are tickled and the surprises that the makers have in store for us late in the day, are truly inspired. The French Mediterranean makes for a visually pleasing backdrop, while Goodman's score is consistently upbeat and perfect for such mirthful shenanigans. They are dirty, they are rotten and they are definitely scoundrels, but once your belly has subsided form the laughter, you may find yourself wondering just how the makers got you to cheer on such shifty characters?! The answer? Inspired casting and smooth construction of plotting by the director. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a real joy. 8/10

DougG_YVR

@DougG_YVR

2023-06-07

Sometimes I’m just looking for a laugh. That’s when a movie like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is the perfect fit. Through a series of hilarious cons and misadventures, Michael Cain and Steve Martin keep me laughing throughout their entire adventure. This is one of my go-to movies if I’m looking for some hearty laughs while not having to think too deeply.

kevin2019

@kevin2019

2024-08-23

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is terrific fun all round and the luscious locations look absolutely gorgeous - the sun kissed French Riviera has never looked more inviting. The humour is genuinely funny and Michael Caine in particular is obviously enjoying himself tremendously in the guise of Doctor Emil Schaffhausen - he takes great pleasure in torturing a wheelchair-bound Steve Martin, especially during one scene where he vigorously whips his ankles repeatedly using a length of cane. It could have been a major miscalculation telling us from the outset that this film is all about con men. This information leaves you forewarned and continually on the alert during every twist of the story, but that is never a consideration on this occasion. The guile used to construct the film combined with the final pay off is completely unanticipated in what can only be described as a wonderful slice of satisfying entertainment which has been expertly produced.