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From Amazon.co.uk
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
Product Description
When small-time con-artist Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) invades the lucrative Riviera turf of old pro Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine), the latter agrees to take him on and tutor him in the methods of fleecing wealthy widows. However, it is not long before Freddy is chafing at the second banana role imposed on him by Lawrence, and when a beautiful American heiress (Glenne Headly) arrives in town, the duelling scamsters agree to a contest; whoever gets their hands on her money first forces the loser to leave town for good...
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Jay
Format:DVD
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.
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.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By "t0mmy99"
Format:DVD
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great easy to watch film with good performances from Steve Martin (despite being American) and Michael Caine (good as ever) Funny in places, clever in others. Good twist too. Bought as enjoyed it years ago, and still do
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
lhilariously comical
loved the twists and turns of the scam, don't agree with it though. it makes me wary of any rich man or woman.
Published 10 days ago by teresa collins
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Grifters for silly people
Michael Caine's best film, bar none. He is superb as the snooty conman, engaged in a wager with a sublime Steve Martin to see who can con most money out of an American heiress on... Read more
Published 14 days ago by BJB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Fun
I just love this film, and at this price it was a bargain, providing a couple of hour's entertainment on a wet evening!
Published 18 days ago by geoff whitfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious
This DVD is hilarious - highly recommended if you just want to have a laugh, and the backdrops are beautiful too
Published 2 months ago by Dr L Reed
4.0 out of 5 stars
A comedy classic
A comedy classic ... Straight from the 80ies
Funny but aged a little
the boys are great
So good to see Michael Caine in there when you think of him in "Dressed... Read more
Funny but aged a little
the boys are great
So good to see Michael Caine in there when you think of him in "Dressed... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sophie K
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!!!!!!
With this movie you just cannot go wrong, so funny. Have seen it a 100 times and decided to buy it! Watched it the day it arrived and it just remains funny!
Published 5 months ago by Prepaid Card
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just fun!
Great clean fun - a very tallented cast, and the pace just does not slacken. The sort of family film that you want to watch time and time again, if your wife will let you!!!
Published 6 months ago by Paulm
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT
Who would have thought that Michael Caine and Steve Martin could be combined in a film to deliver one of the greatest performances ever. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr George Lekoudis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Great amusing film. Have seen it twice before on TV.some years ago. Saving it for a rainy miserable day when I need a laugh and some sunny scenery. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Vera ASHLEY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb traditional family entertainment
This 'old fashioned' comedy about 2 conmen on the Riviera just shows how effective and entertaining a simple plot with limited locations (compared to the more modern James Bond... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Ahmad
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