Tools for this page
Print

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

(1988, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Michael Caine, Steve Martin, Glenne Headly)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Martin and Caine scam women. Not for young kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    No one in this film is particularly moral.
  • Violence:

    A character briefly lashes another with a reed; no lasting effects.
  • Sex:

    Sex insinuated.
  • Language:

    A few swear words.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Parents need to know that this movie features characters taking advantage of one another. It hints at the fact that the scam victims' money was ill-gotten, and therefore they deserve to be fleeced. No one in this film is particularly moral. If the two scammers have a fatal flaw, it's their overconfidence rather than their immorality. Steve Martin's turn as a developmentally challenged, and later, physically challenged, man plays mental and physical deficiencies for laughs.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether those who swindle deserve to be swindled. Is there any place for such retributive vigilantism in our society? Is such a thing common? Is it okay to take advantage of the rich, just to even things out? Is being clever better than being good?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0

    Funny movie

    I liked it, I didn't think there was anything especially spectacular, but it was enjoyable enough.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Funny slapstick but mocks both disabled and mentally challenged people

    I rented this movie to watch with my 12 year old daughter, 7 year old son and husband then checked out the Common Sense review. Despite the 15+ rating my husband wanted to give it a go. So we did with alot of intrepedation on my part. Luckily, it wasn't as sexually explicit as I'd expected and there was really no violence or profane language to speak of. The biggest problem I had was that Steve Martin portrays (and as a consequence jokes at the expense of ) both a mentally challenged and a disabled person. So we spent some time after the movie discussing how that might make people who are facing those challenges feel. My 12 year old daughter was really uncomfortable with that aspect.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Fame (2009)

    Fame (2009)

    Teen musical remake has edgy content for a PG movie.

  • Tech Tip

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.Beyond Safety

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.

  • Book of the Week

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, Book 2

    Sequel just as gripping -- and brutal -- as the first.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    The Time of Our Lives

    The Time of Our Lives

    Walmart-exclusive mini-CD is edgy but kid-friendly.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy