Dirty Work Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two lovable losers start a revenge-for-hire business, leading to increasingly absurd situations involving skunks, prostitutes, and a very unfortunate dog, all to save a crusty old man who may or may not be their father.

🍿 Dirty Work: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mitch and Sam’s Early Antics

Mitch and Sam are lifelong best friends, known for their penchant for revenge. Their history of payback starts in childhood, targeting bullies and anyone who crosses them. These early experiences set the stage for their unique approach to life and conflict resolution. They develop a reputation for not taking crap from anyone, a mantra instilled in them by Sam’s father, Pops.

The Revenge-For-Hire Business

As adults, Mitch and Sam struggle to hold down jobs. When Pops needs a heart transplant, they face a daunting financial hurdle. Desperate, they decide to monetize their talent for revenge, launching ‘Dirty Work,’ a business dedicated to exacting payback on behalf of clients. Their ventures range from simple pranks to elaborate schemes, attracting a diverse clientele and a steady stream of income.

Travis Cole and the Apartment Building Scheme

Their success attracts the attention of Travis Cole, a wealthy and unscrupulous property developer. Cole hires Mitch and Sam to demolish an apartment building, promising them a hefty sum to cover Pops’ medical expenses. However, Cole double-crosses them, revealing he doesn’t own the building and leaving them with nothing. This betrayal sets the stage for their most ambitious revenge plan yet.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mitch (Norm MacDonald): A wisecracking slacker who starts a revenge-for-hire business to raise money for his friend’s father’s heart transplant.
• Sam (Artie Lange): Mitch’s loyal but dim-witted best friend who helps him run the revenge business.
• Pops (Jack Warden): Sam’s crude and cantankerous father (later revealed to be Mitch’s father as well) who needs a heart transplant.
• Travis Cole (Christopher McDonald): The unscrupulous property developer and antagonist who swindles Mitch and Sam.
• Kathy (Traylor Howard): Mitch’s girlfriend whose grandmother lives in the apartment building Cole schemes to destroy.
• Dr. Farthing (Chevy Chase): A gambling-addicted surgeon who demands a bribe to put Pops on the heart transplant list.
• Hamilton (Don Rickles): The abusive and obnoxious manager of the movie theater where Mitch and Sam briefly work.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mitch: “Maybe you’ll feel better after we have some dirty sex.” – Mitch says this line in an attempt to console Kathy after they’ve had a fight.
• Mitch: “You fellas have a lot of growing up to do, I’ll tell you that. Ridiculous. Completely ridiculous.” – Mitch’s reaction after being sexually assaulted in prison showcases his signature dry humor.
• Mr. Hamilton: “Hey, Weaver, get in here! What are you, deaf?” – The abrasive movie theater manager Mr. Hamilton frequently yells at Mitch.
• Pops: “I’ve also got something working again… it rhymes with ‘cock’!!!” – Pops makes this crude statement after his surgery is successful and he feels rejuvenated.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $13,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,023,282
• Worldwide Gross: $10,023,282

💥 Dirty Work Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I know this movie isn’t high art, but I can’t help but love it! Norm MacDonald’s deadpan delivery gets me every time. The scene at the movie theater with Don Rickles is pure gold, and the whole skunk fiasco? Hilarious! It’s stupid, yeah, but sometimes you just need a movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, and this is it. I always find myself laughing out loud at the most ridiculous moments. If you like Norm’s style of comedy, you will be entertained.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Norm MacDonald’s dry humor”
  • “Viewers who enjoy low-brow comedies”
  • “Those who appreciate cameos from comedic actors”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Sexual references”
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some offensive language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Dirty Work is a crude and often unfunny attempt at comedy, salvaged only by occasional moments of Norm Macdonald’s signature deadpan delivery. The film relies too heavily on lowbrow humor and predictable gags, failing to deliver consistent laughs.
• AllMovie: “While Dirty Work boasts a talented cast, the film’s humor is uneven and often misses the mark. Despite some inspired moments of slapstick and Norm Macdonald’s comedic timing, the overall experience is underwhelming and forgettable. Its lack of wit leaves the audience wanting.

Audience Reactions

Norm MacDonald’s dry humor and delivery were the highlight for many viewers.: Fans appreciate the movie’s unapologetic lowbrow humor and the comedic chemistry between Norm MacDonald and Artie Lange.

Many viewers enjoyed the numerous cameos from SNL alumni and other comedic actors.: The film is considered a cult classic by fans who appreciate its ridiculousness and nostalgic value.

Overall Consensus: Dirty Work is a divisive comedy that appeals to fans of Norm Macdonald’s deadpan humor and lowbrow jokes, while critics generally find it to be crude and unfunny. It has achieved cult status among some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chris Farley’s cameo was his last film appearance before his death; he went uncredited. The role was filmed shortly before his passing.”
• “Director Bob Saget, known for ‘Full House,’ embraced a drastically different, raunchier style of humor in this film.”
• “Norm MacDonald co-wrote the script, infusing his signature deadpan comedic style into the dialogue and situations.”

🖥️ How to Watch Dirty Work?

Dirty Work is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as options may vary by region. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from retailers like Amazon and major movie stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Dirty Work, you might like these similar films:

• Tommy Boy (1995): Features a similar comedic duo with a focus on crude humor and outrageous situations.
• Billy Madison (1995): Shares a similar brand of absurd, immature humor and a reliance on the comedic talents of its lead.
• Office Space (1999): Captures the spirit of anti-establishment comedy and finding humor in everyday frustrations.
• Strange Brew (1983): A cult classic with a similar style of absurd, lowbrow humor and a focus on comedic duo dynamics.

🛒 Dirty Work Related Products

• Dirty Work (Blu-ray): Own the cult classic comedy on Blu-ray, featuring hilarious outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Great quality video for the discerning viewer.
• The Best of Norm MacDonald: Ridiculous Commentary: A compilation of Norm MacDonald’s best stand-up routines and talk show appearances. See Norm at his peak, as many consider him a comic genius.
• Bob Saget: That’s What I’m Talkin’ About: A collection of Bob Saget’s raunchy stand-up comedy specials. For those interested to see Bob Saget’s more mature comedy.
• Dirty Work: The Revenge Game: A mobile game where you manage your own revenge-for-hire business. Plan pranks and complete missions to earn money and upgrade your operations, similar to the movie plot.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Semi-Charmed Life” – performed by Third Eye Blind
• “You Sexy Thing” – performed by Hot Chocolate

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dirty Work – Classic Farley Scene

Remember Chris Farley’s hilarious cameo in ‘Dirty Work’? This short clip is pure gold and a perfect example of his comedic genius. Seriously, who doesn’t love Farley?!

✨ Rate