Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) movie poster

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

"Nice guys finish last. Meet the winners."
ThumbScore
πŸ‘ 79%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
🎬 78% (RT: 89%, MC: 68) ℹ️RT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
ComedyCrime

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Director
Runtime
1h 50m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
7.1/10 (992 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
Metacritic
68
Cast
Steve Martin as Freddy Benson
Michael Caine as Lawrence Jamieson
Glenne Headly as Janet Colgate
Anton Rodgers as Inspector Andre
Barbara Harris as Fanny Eubanks
Ian McDiarmid as Arthur
Dana Ivey as Mrs. Reed
Meagen Fay as Lady from Oklahoma
Most people think so. 79% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 992 votes. Critics agree, scoring it 78%.
Overview
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. Wikipedia β†—
Fun Facts
  • Steve Martin spent months preparing for the role, heavily researching the subject matter.
  • It remains one of the highest-rated comedy films of 1988 among dedicated fans.
  • The initial cut of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
Audience Consensus

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a 1988 comedy, crime film directed by Frank Oz. 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. The film has been rated by 992 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers. As a comedy film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling.

The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape. The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 1,102💬 240 comments
I watched Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
Introduced to it as a kid by a Michael Caine loving mother and a Steve Martin loving father, and held it dear in my heart ever since. Been a while... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "Up vote this film or get the genital cuff."
r/iwatchedanoldmovie
⬆ 1,014💬 160 comments
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)
This has to be one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. The dinner scene had me cracking up β€œWhy is the cork on the fork?” lol. There are so many... Read on Reddit →
Top comment: "One of my faves. It’s beautiful to watch, genuinely funny and the discovery of The Jackal is..."
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