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Pleasant and amiable, though it certainly WON'T change your life

This is a very pleasant and amiable comedy, though it's not one that provides so many laughs that you'll roll on the floor or push your friends to watch it with you. But this isn't a bad thing, as the movie still is quite watchable and quite approachable to those who are not huge fans of Steve Martin's brand of humor. While not nearly as crazy as his older films (such as THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS or THE JERK), it is thankfully not as conventional, low energy and dull as CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN or some of his other recent films.This comedy is also different because in addition to Martin, Michael Caine is also in the lead. They both play swindlers--one sophisticated and cool (Caine) and the other a bit vulgar but perhaps equally effective (Martin). At first, they battle each other trying to prove they are the better grifter of the two, but then later they decide to join forces. It is at these moments as a team that the film provides the most laughs--particularly when Steve Martin really hams it up in order to scare away ladies who expect Caine to marry them. In other words, Caine used the women and got money from them and then Martin's awful behaviors as Caine's "brother" was used to get the women to run away in terror. These moments, plus the surprise ending make for a very entertaining if slight film.

A re-make of Bedtime Story; surprisingly, not an improvement.

This is a remake of the 1964 film "Bedtime Story" starring David Niven and Marlon Brando with Shirley Jones and Dody Goodman. Bedtime Story is easily as funny as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and rings a little truer. David Niven plays a much better sophisticate than Caine who never quite completely conceals his cockney accent. Surprisingly, Brando is every bit as funny as Steve Martin and in fact, Steve Martin's performance in DRS is a carbon copy of Brando's. Shirley Jones just seems more innocent and vulnerable than Glenne Headly and Dody Goodman is just funnier than Barbara Harris. Frankly, this is a movie that didn't need a re-make and I recommend Bedtime Story over Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. But, maybe you'll want to see both and decide for yourself. Incidentally, a musical comedy version by the same people who converted the movies Hairspray and The Full Monty into Broadway musicals is scheduled to open on Broadway in 2005.

A Clever Comedy

Paul Henning's comedy about two con-artists and swindlers in the French Riviera who feel that their territory is too small for both of them to be in at the same time. A clever comedy that will keep you laughing until the end with a good script and great performances.

Stever Martin is Freddy Benson, a small-time swindler who tries to find any ear (or preferably any purse) that will listen to his sobbing tales of misfortune. Michael Caine is Laurence Jameson, a big-time swindler who has his swindling formula down to perfection. After they both run into each other and realize they're each in the same line of work, both want the other to leave the Riviera. There being no resolution to their impasse, both Benson and Jameson agree to make a bet. The first to swindle the naive American heiress Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly) out of $50,000 stays while the other leaves in shame. What Jameson and Benson don't know is that their turf is being invaded by another swindler known only as The Jackal. Who will win this swindling contest?

A funny comedy augmented by the great talents of Martin and Caine. I couldn't stop laughing at the situtations and the lines. A comedy not to be missed!

One of my all-time favorite comedies

A winner in all respects--great music, beautiful scenery, snappy screenplay, perfect comic timing, absolutely hilarious. Michael Caine is fabulous. Steve Martin's best movie to date. Anytime I need some cheering up, I just pop it in the VCR and it does the trick. Thank you for making such a delightful movie.

Very funny if a bit uneven

American con artist "The Jackal" (Steve Martin) is touring France when he runs into British gentleman Michael Caine. Considering him a "distinguised gentleman" Martin pays no attention until he finds out his new acquaintance is a fellow con artist - and a very successful one at that.Martin decides to move in on his game and provide some competition. Caine offers a deal: whoever can sucker a visiting "soap queen" out of $50,000 first, gets to stay - the loser must pack their bags. They both agree to the bet and soon the slapstick comedy pratfalls ensue."Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is a very funny movie with some of the funniest scenes of all time - unfortunately in between there's a lot of "filler" that is either too long, unfunny, or downright predictable. But it's at its best when it's providing inspired comic segments.My favorite scene from the movie is the one in which Caine, posing as a doctor, whips a "paralyzed romantic veteran" (Martin) on his legs. The line, "Oh look, he's so happy he's crying" is one of the best one-liners of all time, and Martin's face is a great example of classic slapstick. Martin is better at physical comedy than Jim Carrey and he can also do sophisticated acts as well, which is why he's my favorite comedian of all time - viewing this compared to some of his later more "adult" movies like "Father of the Bride" shows his true range, as he can be totally different. My second favorite sequence is the whole thing with Martin's wacky monkey boy "Rupereveritt" (or however they claim it's spelled!). "Can I go to the bathroom?" "Of course." "Thanks." Martin's face cracks me up every time.Overall this isn't as consistently funny or amusing as Martin's better comedies (including "L.A. Story" and his best, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" which is also multi-layered and better for repeat viewings) - but it is very funny and you could definitely do no better if you're just looking for some good entertainment for a Friday night.4/5.

good movie for the weekend

i want know the name of the song when michael caine is dancing with glenne headly on the disco...

A brilliant comedy with a new twist every minute

I have always liked this show, but I just viewed it again and I was struck by how well written, well photographed, and well directed it is. Of course, Steve Martin and Michael Caine are exceptional actors who make the film work to a very large degree. The rest of the cast is so well composed and plays to the context in such a way that the film is entirely believable. Frank Oz has succeeded here much better, I feel, than in most of his other films.

The Comedy At Its Best

Even though this is a remake of the other movie, it ends up being one of the best of the classic comedy film that I have ever seen. Staring Steve Martin and Michael Crane as two top of the knot con artist try to battle it out who is better at their job.What I like about the movie is even though I have been watching this for over ten years I still can remember about it. It is very memorable and after watching it again it still as funny as before. Brilliant.The story has been developing really well and the situation is genuinely funny. Steve couldn't be funnier and Michael is brilliant as he always been, plus the look of high-class con artist making him look even more sophisticated. The movie also consist of loads of funny scenes that there is endless to laughter.Overall - One of the best comedies that you'll ever see. It is perfect from the beginning to the end.Reason To Watch: Martin and Michael, Twisted Ending.Reason Not To: Not Really.Rating: 8.5/10 (Grade: A). Please Rate (Y/N) After Reading. Thank You.

Funniest Movie Ever

My wife and I both love this movie and have watched it a number of times. We even use some of the terms from the movie such as "Oklahoma, Oklahoma" when we see someone acting screwey. The movie is a remake of an older version with David Nivin and Marlon Brando. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes comedy in a movie.

"Mother...Not Mother?"

Laurence Jameson (Caine) is a con-man, hustling rich corupt women out of thousands by lies and decept. Freddy Benson is also a con-man, hustling your average everyday woman out of a meal or two here and there...but when the two of them end up in the same place at the same time they realize they have competition, and when Freddy realizes how much Laurence really makes off these women, well, he wants just as much. The two decide to work together resulting in one of the funniest chain of events in movie history...whether Martin is playing Ruprecht (the monkey boy) or Officer Benson, the man crippled by memories of his fiance dancing naked with the host of Dance America, Martin is absolutly histarical. Caine has a dry humor that works well when bouced off of Martins charisma. I'm not a Caine fan but here he works well and casting can be forgiven since the script is tight and yes, Martin is brilliant. Highly recomended...this will make you laugh out loud and Ruprecht will make you laugh so hard you will cry!

A hilarious match of wits!

Steve Martin at his loudest. Michael Caine at his dryest. Frank Oz at his smartest. Who could ask for anything more? A great script, amazing acting and wonderful direction makes Dirty, Rotten, Scoundrels one of the best comedies out there. It combines humor, surprise and conmen to make a deliciously malicious movie!

Fred Benson (Steve Martin) is a loud and obnoxious American con man, who gets sympathy from wealthy women who give him money. Laurence Jameson (Michael Caine) is a sophisticated European con man who takes womens money by playing the freedom-fighter prince fighting the communists. They meet in a train car, and their lives are never the same. They end up having a rivalry which builds up to them having a bet. All or nothing. Whoever gets a certain heiress to pay 50,000 dollars first gets the money, and stays in town to con more rich women, while the other leaves empty handed.

An original script executed in such a way that you want to watch it over and over! It has rewatchability and is just to darn funny to pass up!

Maybe I'M missing something, but when I read jhclues comments form Salem, I wondered whether we had been watching the same film.

Steve Martin is a good comedian, often funny and, when he is not overacting, as he does in this film, he can be entertaining. Michael Caine is the quintessential gangster; East End Alfie; the pimp in Mona Lisa: the crook in Shiner; all tailor made for his rough, one dimensional talent.He plays crude to perfection. Four-letter words trip from his mouth with ease.But an English Prince in Beaumont-sur-Mer!!!An aristocrat Caine could never be. One has only to watch the original "Bedtime Story" (A confusing title), with David Niven playing Jamieson to perfection and the great Marlon Brando his rival.Niven; Elegant; suave; funny; the epitome of civilised good manners. Brando, brash; coarse; very funny.If "Bedtime Story" ever makes it to the Roxy in Salem, jhclues should treat himself to a night out & compare it with the rubbish called "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"

Thoroughly Entertaining !

Those couple of reviewers who rate this movie poorly have obviously fallen off a cliff and broken every funny bone in their bodies ! This is a great movie. It is full of laughs from beginning to end and I thoroughly recommend it.

I could (and do) watch DRS over and over

Caine, Martin and Headly's comic timing + a great script + Frank Oz directing = a smashing, exceptionally entertaining feature. Each viewing results in the discovery of yet one more fresh twist given to a character, situation or line by this superb Gang of Four and their extraordinary supporting cast.

This timeless comedy won't feel like it was made nearly 20 years ago when you watch it because it feels so fresh. In fact, dirtyrottentomatoes gives it an unbelievable *95%* FRESH rating all these years after it was made.

If you want to have a great time and watch many masters at work without bringing inappropriate attention to themselves individually, this is a film for you.

I'm trying to find the awards this film must have won when it was released; it deserves many.

funny and intelligent at the same time

This movie has the spirit of comedies from 50`s and 60`s but is not naive in any way. In fact, I was always hungry for the movies that have funny battle between two (or more) people, for sort of films that you haven`t seen often these days. Two liars fight over the rich women (is she...) in a way that we always loves to hear when somebody tolds us about things that happened yesterday "to a guy that he knew". There is no end in this movie for the set-ups, crazy ideas and intelligent jokes. I have seen this movie probably 20 times, and that is not the end.

They just don't make many comedies like this anymore

Steve Martin and Michael Caine star as two con men in a bet in this fresh, exciting comedious adventure.


Steve Martin plays a number of roles within his roles, as he acts as the novice conman portraying different people. As can be expected, he is really good and unpredictable. Director Frank Oz (on the audio commentary) said that Martin had an important role in revising the script and ad libbing. Michael Caine plays the shrewd, sophisticated con man very well. Glenne Headly is also very talented, playing the object of the bet.


Well written, well directed, well acted. Highly reccomended. Wish there were more like it.

A sad imitation...

I saw this film and have to tell everyone: Don't waste your time on this pale, watered-down nineties version or copy of the much better 1964 film, "Bedtime Story," starring David Niven and Marlon Brando. Brando and Niven were really funny and some of the dialog between the two is priceless. I'm afraid that Martin and Caine, although very funny in other films, just can't seem to make it happen in this re-make.

Great Con Movie!

I really enjoyed watching this film from the beginning. It is a real funny, inventive comedy and the interplay between Michael Caine and Steve Martin is fantastic. Caine is great as the posh-looking Englishman, while Martin comes off really well as the rogue Yank. The film gets better as it goes on and it's something most people will enjoy, especially the twist at the end of the movie. Fantastic comedy.

You have to discover this gem!

I discovered this film years after it first came out. Since then I will admit to having seen it more then 20 times.Why?Because this story, about two or more, con artists, is so well told, that it just keeps you glued to the screen, laughing and wanting more! All the jokes and funny moments are so "logical" for these characters that one gets amazed at their con-artist creativity! You have to see Michael Caine take money from rich ("...but never from virtuous" as he says) to help his "occupied country". The funny moments are never forced, and are so full of detail that one is challenged to catch it all on first viewing.Even if you are not too crazy about comedies, you'll love this film for it's setting at the south of France, acting performances, great story and a healthy dose of twists and turns.

Great performances, Steve Martin at his best!

Just get the dvd it is an essential landmark of the gathering of two different kinds of actors in a symbiotic performance. The Portuguese subtitles are in fact "Brasilian". Too bad people will never learn the difference.