Lawrence Jamieson (Caine) is a refined con artist. He convinces wealthy women that he is an exiled prince and needs money to fund his rebellion / return to power. He meets Freddy Benson (Martin), a small-time con artist with big plans. Both are bound for Beaumont-sur-Mer, where Lawrence lives.
Freddy is impressed by Lawrence's success and blackmails his way into training under Lawrence. Together, they are successful, until Freddy wants more. They make a wager: the first to steal $50,000 from American tourist Janet Colgate (Headly) can stay in town. Freddy poses as a wheelchair-bound veteran who needs money for his treatment. Lawrence steps in as psychiatrist Dr. Emil Schaffhausen, the specialist who can help Freddy. With everything on the line, who will win the bet?
This film is a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story, starring Marlon Brando and David Niven.
The Good:
The casting is great. Michael Caine is suave and sophisticated, and funny. Steve Martin goes for the physical comedy and is a good foil for Caine. Their scenes together are the best parts of the movie - whether they are working together or at each other's throats. Glenne Headly makes the most of her role and has good chemistry with her male co-stars. The story is clever and hilarious and makes the most of it's great cast.
The Bad:
Nothing really.
Other Comments:
-The film was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2004 starring John Lithgow as Lawrence, Norbert Leo Butz as Freddy, and Sherie Rene Scott as Christine (the Janet role).
-The film was remade in 2019 as The Hustle starring Anne Hathaway in the Michael Caine role and Rebel Wilson in the Steve Martin role - skip it.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) 110 minutes
Director: Frank Oz
Starring: 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
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