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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Play trailer Poster for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels PG 1988 1h 50m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Con artist Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine) is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson (Steve Martin), shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jamieson resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, Jamieson challenges Benson to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark first can stay, while the other must leave town.
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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Critics Consensus

A buoyant, clever update of the conman flick Bedtime Story, with plenty of comedic jousting resulting from a winning chemistry between Michael Caine and Steve Martin.

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Critics Reviews

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John Mount Empire Magazine Steve Martin does his shtick to perfection and Michael Caine unveils some adroit comic timing in this charming but mediocre comedy. Rated: 3/5 Mar 13, 2021 Full Review Sheila Benson Los Angeles Times Blithe, reasonably witty, with as many story twists as a Riviera roadway, its greatest assets are its glorious look (courtesy of Michael Ballhaus' exceptional camera work) and Michael Caine, his hair full of Dippety-Doo, his heart full of larceny. Mar 13, 2021 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 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. Mar 13, 2021 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is much less sadistic, and much more inventan than Bedtime Stories. [Full review in Spanish] Jul 7, 2022 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Unfortunately, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels isn't quite clever enough to justify the full 110-minute running length. There's a point at which it starts to feel like it has overstayed its welcome. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 13, 2021 Full Review John Ferguson Radio Times Harmless, knockabout fun. Rated: 3/5 Mar 13, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert R It's one thing for a movie to be funny, but for it to be funny *and* a clever caper with a couple of genuinely well-constructed reveals? Well done. At its heart "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" plays like a scummier version of a "Spy vs. Spy" comic strip or like a cinematic improv game where the debauchery just builds on top of one character secretly pulling one over on the other and so on. Steve Martin and Michael Caine make about as unlikely a pair of comedic partners as you'd expect, but damn it if they don't play off one another brilliantly. That first scene of Caine's "Lawrence" pretending to be Dr. Schaffhausen had me legitimately rolling, man. This was one of those movies I sorta always knew I was probably going to enjoy, but just had never gotten around to sitting down and watching. Boy, am I glad I finally did. The fact that this doesn't get brought up more in the pantheon of great 80's comedies is beyond me. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/22/25 Full Review Larry K Hilarious movie!! Also a great ending I was not expecting. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/25 Full Review Dylan E Caine and Martin work wonderfully together in this romp which had a cinema audience howling with laughter when I first saw it on release. It looks fabulous, has pace, charm, a fantastic score and is played with a real twinkle in the eye. It's clear the cast had as much fun making it as I still do watching it on replay after all these years. It's certainly up there alongside the likes of Life of Brian and Spinal Tap as one of my all time favourite comedies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review Andrea C One of my absolute favorites. What a combination these two amazing actors make. I'm on the floor laughing every time Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review alan g I don't see the charm in this movie. Yes it is an updated take on, "Bedtime Story" but I still think the original was better. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/02/24 Full Review Chris H One of the best comedies ever made. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

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Cast & Crew

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Frank Oz

Director

Steve Martin

Freddy Benson

Michael Caine

Lawrence Jamieson

Glenne Headly

Janet Colgate

Anton Rodgers

Inspector Andre

Barbara Harris

Fanny Eubanks

Movie Clips

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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Do You Feel This? Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Do You Feel This? 1:57 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Dinner With Ruprecht Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Dinner With Ruprecht 1:31 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Janet's Return Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Janet's Return 2:12 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy Walks! Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy Walks! 2:12 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Ruprecht Gets Angry Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Ruprecht Gets Angry 1:53 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy's Sad Story Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy's Sad Story 1:55 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Meeting Ruprecht Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Meeting Ruprecht 1:59 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy Goes to Jail Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy Goes to Jail 2:04 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Lawrence Meets Freddy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Lawrence Meets Freddy 2:02 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy's "Suicide" Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Official Clip - Freddy's "Suicide" 2:13 View more videos

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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Con artist Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine) is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson (Steve Martin), shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jamieson resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, Jamieson challenges Benson to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark first can stay, while the other must leave town.
Director
Frank Oz
Producer
Bernard Williams
Screenwriter
Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro, Paul Henning
Production Co
Orion Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$40.9M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround
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