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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
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Movie Info
Genre(s): Comedy | Crime
Written by:
Dale Launer
Stanley Shapiro
Paul Henning
Directed by: Frank Oz
Release Date:
Theatrical: December 14, 1988
DVD: December 4, 2001
Running Time: 110 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: PG for crude humor
Starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly, Anton Rodgers, Barbara Harris, and Ian McDiarmid
Two wiley con-men living in the south of France join forces to bilk rich American women of their fortunes. WHen one decides to strike out on his own, a bet is made over who can take a rich American heiress for $50,000 first. After much outrageous tomfoolery, the boys learn the heiress has no money and all three join forces. (MGM)
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Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Variety Staff (Not Credited)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a wonderfully crafted, absolutely charming remake of the 1964 film "Bedtime Story." In this classy version, Steve Martin and Michael Caine play the competing French Riviera conmen trying to outscheme each other in consistently amusing and surprising setups. Martin takes the crass American role played by Marlon Brando, and Caine plays homage to David Niven by sporting a thin mustache, slicked-back hair and double-breasted blue blazer in a sort of 1930s British yachtsman look.
Read Full Review >Washington Post Hal Hinson
Director Frank Oz has brought a devilish tang to the machinations here, and the actors bring a sense of a spoiled grandeur to their characters' mingy souls.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Vincent Canby
Line by line, the dialogue isn't all that quotable, but there is consistently funny life on the screen. The film's comic timing is nearly flawless.
Read Full Review >Wall Street Journal Julie Salamon
I never saw the original, but the sprightly remake couldn't be more delightful. As the ultra-suave Lawrence Jamison, Mr. Caine wears his hair and mustache Niven-like -- slicked down but never greasy. He manages to draw more laughs by merely reacting than most comics can pull out of a punchline. With his calculated coarseness, Mr. Martin is a perfect foil. Behind the scenes is former Muppet Man Frank Oz. He pulls the strings so deftly he never disturbs the froth. [15 Dec 1988, p.1]
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen
Most of this is bald, and very funny; some of it is witty, and even funnier. [14 Dec 1988, p.C9]
Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
The chemistry between Martin and Caine is fun, and Headly provides a resilient foil as a woman who looks like a pushover but somehow never seems to topple.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Jay Carr
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels essentially remains a duet of exquisitely turned gestures exchanged by Martin and Caine. It isn't killer comedy. Sometimes its leisurely pace veers dangerously close to slackness. But it's as close as Hollywood comedy comes to chamber music. [14 Dec 1988, p.77]
Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson
Blithe, reasonably witty, with as many story twists as a Riviera roadway, its greatest assets are its glorious look and Michael Caine, his hair full of Dippety-Doo, his heart full of larceny. [14 Dec 1988, p.1]
Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum
Set on the French Riviera, the movie has the kind of plot that cries out for the stylish treatment that a Billy Wilder could bring to it; without it, the various twists seem needlessly spun out and implausible, although Martin is allowed to show off his brand of very physical comedy to some advantage, and Miles Goodman contributes a pleasant score.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Staff (Not Credited)
Directed by Muppet manipulator-actor-director Oz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is an amusing comedy whose strengths and weaknesses both stem from the broad treatment of the material. In going for easy, lowest-common-denominator laughs, Oz loses much of the subtlety and occasionally dark humor of the orginal.
Read Full Review >Empire John Mount
Steve Martin does his schtik to perfection and Michael Caine unveils some adroit comic timing in this charming but mediocre comedy.
Read Full Review >USA Today Mike Clark
Scoundrels isn't rock-bottom. That a more sturdy vehicle couldn't be found for such stellar leads, though, is a dirty rotten shame. [14 Dec 1988, p. 4D]
San Francisco Chronicle Peter Stack
This disappointing comedy, which seems to move at a snail's pace, is almost saved by the gorgeous scenery and settings, crisply photographed. Locations include the Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the harbor at Juan-les-Pins, and other lovely spots on the Cote d'Azur. [14 Dec 1988, p.E1]
Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr
A character comedy requires some notion of respect and integrity. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has none. [14 Dec 1988, p.1]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
