Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is the story about the adventures (or more like misadventures) of two cunning con artists, Lawrence Jamieson (played by Michael Caine) and Freddy Benson (portrayed by Steve Martin) during their intense competition to swindle rich French Rivera women.

Lawrence, a sophisticated and refined British gentleman, has been successfully charming and deceiving wealthy women for years. He operates with elegance and finesse, using his smooth-talking skills to extract money from his targets. However, his luxurious lifestyle is suddenly threatened when Freddy, a brash and uncouth American swindler, arrives on the scene.

Freddy, initially an annoyance to Lawrence, quickly becomes a rival. Determined to prove himself as a con artist, he sets his sights on the same wealthy women that Lawrence targets. The two engage in a hilarious battle of wits and manipulation, each trying to outsmart the other in their quest for fortune.

Both actors' comedic brilliance reaches its pinnacle with the characters they play, whose exaggerated mannerisms and revolutionary table manners provide some of the film's most side-splitting moments. Hence, although "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" does lose some of its momentum in the convoluted twists and turns of the plot, their portrayals inject a charming airhead quality into the story. Additionally, Michael Bauhaus' cinematography successfully captures the golden light of the Riviera, adding to the film's visual allure.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" may have its roots in a classic tale, but it manages to deliver a satisfying payoff that keeps viewers second-guessing themselves. The talented cast ensures that we forget about the film's lineage, as the scoundrels continue to outdo themselves with their vermin-like audacity.

Release: 1988

Stars: Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headly

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%