Common Sense Media Review
Martin and Caine scam women in sly '80s comedy.
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Why Age 12+?
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious and entertaining crime comedy featuring two con men competing to scam a wealthy woman, with plenty of plot twists and strong performances from the lead actors. However, many reviews caution that it contains mature content, such as sexual references and swearing, making it more suitable for older kids rather than younger audiences.
- funny
- entertaining
- mature content
- great performances
- suitable for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, Steve Martin and Michael Caine compete in a battle of sleazy shysters who make their money by conning rich, vulnerable women. When boorish American Freddy Benson (Martin) homes in on debonair European Lawrence Jamieson's (Caine) territory, Jamieson offers to become Benson's tutor. Benson bristles at Jamieson's attempt to condition him, and eventually the two agree to a not-so-friendly competition to bilk a young heiress (Glenne Headly) out of her fortune.
Is It Any Good?
This sly film is fairly entertaining, but Martin and Caine never establish the chemistry of a great comedy team, and the gags tend to get repetitive. If the film has anything going for it, it's the unpredictability of the game of courtship between two men and one woman.
The difference between European cultural pretension and American crassness is at the center of the comedy. The film is a role reversal of sorts, with men fleecing women who've presumably come upon their fortunes by marrying doddering millionaires. It's enjoyable to watch Caine pretend to be a psychologist, and Martin is as animated as ever, faking paralysis only to dance for joy in the following scene. The story turns into a standard wager plot, with the real winner discovering his scruples just in time to save his soul. Needless to say, the swindlers get their comeuppance, the scammers become the scammed, and the story ends with yet another hoax in the offing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' style of humor. How does this movie mine laughs out of iffy behavior? Is that OK?
How might those who are or have close friends or family members who are mentally or physically disabled feel about the scenes in which Martin feigns those conditions? Do you think the movie is making fun of mentally or physically challenged people, or is the comedy more rooted in the lengths to which these characters will go to steal from their unwitting victims?
How do the lead characters rationalize what they do? Does that make it OK? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 14, 1988
- On DVD or streaming : December 17, 1997
- Cast : Glenne Headly , Michael Caine , Steve Martin
- Director : Frank Oz
- Studio : Image Entertainment
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Competition , Friendship , Activism ( Gender equality ) , Travel
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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