Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

★ 7.1 1h 50m 998 votes IMDb
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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.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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Cast

Steve Martin
Steve Martin as Freddy Benson Age 80 · Waco, Texas, USA Stephen Glenn 'Steve' Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer. He was born in Waco, Texas, and raised in Southern California,...
Michael Caine
Michael Caine as Lawrence Jamieson Age 93 · Rotherhithe, London, England, UK Sir Michael Caine CBE (born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr.; 14 March 1933) is a retired English actor. Known for his distinctive South London accent, he has appeared in more than 160 films in a career...
Glenne Headly
Glenne Headly as Janet Colgate Died 2017 · New London, Connecticut, USA Glenne Aimee Headly (born March 13, 1955 -June 8, 2017) was an American actress of film, stage and television. She was widely known for her film roles in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), Dick Tracy (19...
Anton Rodgers
Anton Rodgers as Inspector Andre Died 2007 · Ealing, Middlesex, England, UK ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Anton Rodgers (born Anthony Rodgers; 10 January 1933 – 1 December 2007) was an English actor and occasional director. He performed on stage, in film and in t...
Barbara Harris
Barbara Harris as Fanny Eubanks Died 2018 · Evanston, Illinois, USA Barbara Densmoor Harris (July 25, 1935 – August 21, 2018) was an American actress. She appeared in such movies as A Thousand Clowns, Plaza Suite, Nashville, Family Plot, Freaky Friday, Peggy Sue Got M...
Ian McDiarmid
Ian McDiarmid as Arthur Age 81 · Carnoustie, Tayside, Scotland, UK Ian McDiarmid (born 11 August 1944) is a Scottish actor and director best known for portraying Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars film series. He has received an Olivier Award for Best Actor and a Ton...

Audience Reviews

John Chard 8/10 Sep 26, 2014
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 10/10 Jun 07, 2023
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 8/10 Aug 23, 2024
"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.

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