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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels [1989]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

On its original release in 1988, the pairing of Steve Martin and Michael Caine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was seen as something of a dream ticket. Viewing the film many years later, that assessment still proves completely accurate: the casting is perfect. American Freddy Benson and Briton Lawrence Jamieson are con men who work the French Riviera--at first as colleagues, later as rivals--praying on rich, gullible women before finally meeting their match. Having spent the decade veering between popular rubbish and low-key quality, for once Caine was able to find a populist vehicle that did justice to his talents. Steve Martin is, well, very Steve Martin but there are few better suited to the visual comedy of his character. The film has an old-fashioned feel (no sex, violence or bad language) and owes much to the earlier period of film humour--it really doesn't take that much imagination to see this as an Ealing comedy. All round, it's a stylish, charming, witty film.

On the DVD: Extras are few, limited to scene selection, subtitles and the very funny trailer. Picture quality is superb, allowing the film's exotic setting to sparkle and there are many scenes of breathtaking beauty. Given that the film is full of fantastic comedy set pieces, the ability to select scenes is a real plus, allowing to the viewer to locate that classic Martin pratfall at the push of a button. --Phil Udell


You can't con a con or con you
Review date: 2008-08-30 Rating: 10 out of 10

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.


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Reviews


Brilliant twist for an ending
Review date: 2007-12-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

Everything clicks in this laugh-out-loud gem. Steve Martin and Michael Caine are in top form as Freddy Benson and Lawrence Jamieson, two con men who agree that this town (on the French Mediterranean coast) ain't big enough for the both of them. To solve the problem, they agree upon a solution - the first man to swindle $50,000 from a naive young woman gets to stay. The competition brings out the very best of their very worst, with Martin posing as a paraplegic and Caine as a psychiatrist eager to help convince him it's all in his head. Glenne Headly, as the target of the cons, deserves special mention for her brilliant performance.

One of the strongest assets of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is that the story is interesting enough, with its various twists and turns, that it would work great even without being funny. The laughs - and there are many of them - are a sort of gut-hurting bonus. The scene in which Caine tests the nerves in Martin's legs must rank as one of the most uproarious in film history. This one from director Frank Oz (certainly no slouch in the comedy department) is not to be missed.

A Classic
Review date: 2007-07-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

When this movie was released, it was panned by the critics (so what do they know?)
It's just a great fun movie. Caine and Martin just "blend" together.
The film is one laugh after another. My two favourite scenes are Ruprecht's "May I use the bathroom?" and the one where Martin is superglued to the wall.
Buy and enjoy

Absolutely funny
Review date: 2004-02-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

The first time I watched this film I noticed there are many similarities between this film and a classical film "Bedtime Story" ,which performed by David Niven and Marlon Brando. However the play of Steve Martin and Michael Caine made the film very interesting . Although Steve Martin is well known for the films like "Jerk" and " A Man with Two Brains" this is my most favourite Steve Martin film.All characters in this comedy film are charlatans except a lovely lady but...

You can tell they had fun making this film!
Review date: 2003-08-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

One of the funniest films I have seen and one that I don't mind watching over and over. The script is great, acting and timing superb (especially by Michael Caine) and on site location just adds to the happy ambience of the film. You can tell they must have loved making this film, and that enjoyment is infectious.

What is also particularly interesting about this film is the juxtaposition of American and British humour. You find yourself laughing at both, its something we don't see enough of these days. Hopefully you'll see what I mean. If you have never seen this film, buy it, crack open a bottle of wine/ perefered beverage, take the phone off the hook and enjoy.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Glenne Headly
Michael Caine
Steve Martin
Barbara Harris
Anton Rodgers

Creators:
Steve Martin (Primary Contributor)
Michael Caine (Primary Contributor)
Michael Ballhaus (Cinematographer)
Bernard Williams (Producer)
Charles Hirschhorn (Producer)
Dale Launer (Producer)
Dale Launer (Writer)
Paul Henning (Writer)
Stanley Shapiro (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070006698
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-07-09
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1988-12-14
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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