Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Year: 1988

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Oz

Review

it gets the job done. not an amazingly funny film, but it’s better than the assembly line schlock you usually see. steve martin and michael caine both turn in fine comic performances, but have very different styles. steve martin is often over the top and very physical, whereas michael caine is subtle and european in his style. the script solid, but not as strong as some of the other stuff steve martin has worked with (planes, trains and automobiles, the jerk, and parenthood in particular). frank oz has some good moments as a director, but mostly just does things by the book. i think directing comedy is rather difficult – it takes the right touch. john hughes and jay roach come to mind.