Professional assassins may be captivating on the silver screen, but when it comes to comedy, con artists reign supreme. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a 1988 comedy directed by Frank Oz, exemplifies this genre with its charming characters and clever humor.
The film is set in Beaumont-sur-Mer, a small resort town on the French Riviera that attracts wealthy individuals from the United States and around the world. Lawrence Jamieson (played by Michael Caine), a sophisticated and suave British con artist, has made a fortune by posing as a mysterious exiled prince and swindling money from gullible women. With his mansion, butler (played by Ian McDiarmid), and the cooperation of a local police inspector (played by Anton Rodgers), Jamieson has enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. However, his world is turned upside down with the arrival of Freddy Benson (played by Steve Martin), an unsophisticated American con artist who relies on sob stories. Jamieson attempts to drive Freddy out of town, but Freddy keeps coming back. Eventually, the two men make a wager - whoever can extract $50,000 from American "soap queen" Janet Colgate (played by Glenne Headley) will win, while the loser must leave town.
Although not considered one of the most remarkable films of its time, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels holds up surprisingly well today. The humor, which surpasses the standards of today's Hollywood comedies, is the film's strongest aspect. The script, written by Dale Launer, Stanley Shapiro, and Paul Henning, is intelligent and gives the impression of belonging to another era, perhaps the 1950s or 1960s. The plot, however, is weak and merely serves as a backdrop for the hilarious interactions between the two main characters. Another pleasant surprise is the direction by Frank Oz, known for his work on The Muppet Show. In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Oz ditches special effects in favor of authentic locations on the French Riviera, including the famous Victorine Studios in Nice. He allows the talented cast to shine, and they deliver outstanding performances. Michael Caine and Steve Martin are perfectly cast, highlighting the contrast between the sophisticated European and the provincial American through their acting styles. Caine maintains a stiff upper lip, mirroring his aristocratic character, while Martin often adds physical comedy to his performance, though not always with the best results. The true standout is Glenne Headley, an actress who unfortunately appeared in many mediocre films during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, her talent finally shines through as she portrays a naive and innocent woman whose charm captivates the immoral protagonists. However, her appearance comes relatively late in the film, making it slightly overlong, and the twist ending is not as surprising as the filmmakers intended.
Despite these minor flaws, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels remains a highly enjoyable and funny film. It serves as a reminder of the stylish and well-crafted comedies that are often missing from today's Hollywood offerings.
Rating: 7/10 (+++)
(Note: The original text was posted in the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on August 25th, 2001)
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