Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two fancy thieves try to steal fifty grand from a lady, but she’s actually a bigger thief who steals their dignity, and they all become friends so they can steal even MORE dignity.

🍿 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Lawrence and Freddy

Lawrence Jamieson, a sophisticated British con artist, lives lavishly on the French Riviera by swindling wealthy women. He poses as a deposed prince or other sympathetic figure to extract large sums of money. Freddy Benson, a small-time American con man, arrives in Lawrence’s territory, disrupting his operations with his less refined methods. Freddy’s approach involves fabricated stories of sick grandmothers and other sob stories to scam women out of smaller amounts. Lawrence sees Freddy as a threat to his established scams and tries to get rid of him. However, Freddy realizes Lawrence is also a con man and blackmails him into teaching him the tricks of the trade. Lawrence reluctantly agrees, hoping to control Freddy and eventually push him out of the area.

The Contest Begins

After a series of unsuccessful joint cons, Lawrence and Freddy decide the French Riviera isn’t big enough for both of them. They make a bet: the first one to swindle $50,000 from a chosen mark gets to stay, while the other must leave permanently. They select Janet Colgate, a seemingly naive American heiress, as their target. Freddy pretends to be a paralyzed war veteran needing money for experimental treatment, while Lawrence poses as the renowned psychiatrist who can cure him. Both try to manipulate Janet’s sympathy and generosity, leading to increasingly outlandish schemes and sabotaging each other’s efforts.

Unforeseen Complications

As the competition intensifies, Lawrence discovers Janet isn’t as wealthy as they initially thought. She’s actually a contest winner who plans to sell her prizes to fund Freddy’s ‘treatment.’ Lawrence, who has a code of only conning those who can afford it, begins to feel conflicted about taking advantage of Janet’s genuine kindness. Freddy, driven by the bet and a desire to prove himself, continues his con, even as Lawrence attempts to back out. This leads to a series of escalating comedic situations, including Freddy’s memorable portrayal of Lawrence’s ‘mentally challenged’ brother, Ruprecht.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine): A sophisticated British con artist who swindles wealthy women on the French Riviera.
• Freddy Benson (Steve Martin): A small-time American hustler who attempts to learn the art of the con from Lawrence.
• Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly): A seemingly naive American heiress who becomes the target of Lawrence and Freddy’s bet.
• Inspector Andre (Anton Rodgers): A corrupt police inspector who is associated with Lawrence’s cons and receives a cut of the profits.
• Arthur (Ian McDiarmid): Lawrence’s loyal butler who aids in his elaborate con schemes.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lawrence: “One must know one’s limitations, Freddy. You are a moron.” – Lawrence delivers this line with an air of superiority, condescending to Freddy’s less refined con-artist skills.
• Freddy: “I’m paralyzed, and I can’t get up!” – Freddy yells this repeatedly while pretending to be a paralyzed war veteran to gain Janet’s sympathy and money.
• Freddy: “May I go to the bathroom first?” – Freddy says this with a serious tone while at the dinner table, contrasting his crude behavior to Lawrence’s refined manner.
• Lawrence: “To be with another woman, that is French. To be caught, that is American.” – Lawrence says this while trying to explain to Freddy the nuances of maintaining a sophisticated lifestyle on the French Riviera.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $42,039,085
• Worldwide Gross: $42,039,085

💥 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Reviews

Personal Review

This movie is comedy gold! I first saw it as a kid and still find it hilarious. Steve Martin’s ‘Ruprecht’ is unforgettable, and Caine’s sophisticated con man is a perfect foil. The plot twists keep you guessing, and the ending is so satisfying. I’ve watched it countless times and it always makes me laugh. Definitely a classic in my book!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Steve Martin and Michael Caine”
  • “Viewers who enjoy con artist movies”
  • “Those looking for a light-hearted, witty comedy”
  • “People who appreciate films set in beautiful locations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Thematic elements involving deception and manipulation”
  • “Some potentially offensive stereotypes (mental disability)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A delightful and sophisticated comedy with standout performances from Martin and Caine. Oz expertly balances their contrasting comedic styles, resulting in a laugh-out-loud experience.
• The New York Times: “Martin’s physical comedy is superb, while Caine’s suave delivery provides the perfect counterpoint. The plot is clever and full of twists, making this a thoroughly enjoyable film.
• RogerEbert.com: “An intelligent comedy that remains fresh and funny after all these years. The chemistry between Martin and Caine is undeniable, and Glenne Headly delivers a memorable performance.

Audience Reactions

Steve Martin’s performance as Ruprecht is comedic genius.: The chemistry between Steve Martin and Michael Caine is what makes the movie truly special.

The plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.: Many viewers loved the surprise ending and the cleverness of the story.

Overall Consensus: A classic comedy with excellent performances, clever writing, and a memorable plot that continues to entertain audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of the 1964 film ‘Bedtime Story’ starring Marlon Brando and David Niven.”
• “Director Frank Oz aimed for a ‘1950s feel’ in the film, drawing inspiration from Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch a Thief’.”
• “The teaser trailer featured a scene of Martin and Caine pushing people into water and shoving cotton candy in a child’s face. This was a gag to surprise audiences, and it did not appear in the final movie.”
• “Steve Martin improvised much of his physical comedy, especially as Ruprecht.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability and options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, you might like these similar films:

• The Sting (1973): Features elaborate cons, double-crosses, and a clever twist ending, similar to the intricate plot of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
• To Catch a Thief (1955): Set on the French Riviera with themes of wealth, deception, and mistaken identity. It inspired the visual style of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
• Ocean’s Eleven (2001): Features charismatic con artists planning and executing elaborate heists, with humor and teamwork.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002): Features an artful con man who successfully deceives authority figures.

🛒 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Related Products

• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels [Blu-ray]: Relive the laughter in high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Enjoy enhanced picture and sound quality for a superior viewing experience.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [CD]: Re-experience the catchy musical score of the movie with the original soundtrack CD. Featuring tunes from Irving Berlin and an original score by Miles Goodman.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Movie Poster Print: High-quality print of the iconic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or adding a touch of classic comedy to any room.
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels [Digital Download]: Download a digital copy of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and watch it anytime, anywhere. Enjoy instant access to this classic comedy on your favorite devices.

🎧 Soundtrack

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Puttin’ On the Ritz” – performed by Irving Berlin
• “Main Title” – performed by Miles Goodman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

TimesTalks: Michael Caine: Five Favorite Films | The New York Times

Ever wondered what Michael Caine thought about making ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’? He considers it one of his all-time favorites and shares some great stories from the set. It’s fascinating to hear his perspective!

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