The reason why I'm writing this review is my surprise on how few criticized this weak, empty, stupid movie.Although I haven't watched too many lately, I love comedies. I'd watch Ferris Bueller's Day off, Wayne's world, Hot shots 1-2, Naked gun, Airplane!, other Leslie Nielsen movies, Kickass, parodies, etc. any day of the week and could even enjoy movies that are very far from perfect and miss plenty, like Bridesmaids.Having found this one on a "best of" list next to great movies and finding great actor Michael Caine there, it was more than embarrassing to watch the first half an hour attentively and fast forwarding the rest, stopping from time to time to give a chance at scenes.I laughed 4-5 times though. (Hence not 1 but 2 stars),I deleted the other movies of Steve Martin from my computer right after watching.My main reason for writing this review was to give hope to people who love comedies but totally disliked this movie.

The swagger, panache and pizazz of the 1960s blend with the me-me spirit of the 1980s for a fun romp that, despite the sheer absurdity of it all, never fails to thrill and entertain at every twist and turn of the tightly written, surprise-filled plot. Michael Caine plays His Un-Highness to a tee, Steve Martin probably never needed Frank Oz to tell him just how to make sleaze adorable, and Glenne Headly expertly turns that audacious 60s charm all the way up to 11. The final two minutes probably contain more surprises and rapturous laughs than a 10-season sitcom, so much so that it would have been a prime premise for a sequel.

This may be one of the Least Funny Most Overrated Comedies Ever. That doesn't Necessarily mean that it isn't Amusing. it Occasionally is Humorous and on Rare Occasions it is Hilarious. But it is Inconsistent and Dull at Times and the Pacing is Laborious. It Seems to take Great Care with the Costumes and the Sets going for Luscious and Beautiful (in a comedy?). Well OK, but to what End. The Strengths of the Film are the Actors, Steve Martin and Michael Cain. Cain is Fine but Martin is for Some Reason, Painfully Restrained.Director Oz is Attempting Class and does Succeed with that (in a comedy?) and it is a Throwback to what used to be Called a Sophisticated Comedy. It Works Somewhat but the Film seems Out of Time, maybe even Dated. But Folks and Critics Love this Movie and it does have a Charming Innocence that was Rare at the Time and Now is Nonexistent.Inoffensive Bit of Fluff that Never Alienates or Distances the Viewer with Outrageousness or an Over the Top Reach. No it just sort of Lies There and Casually Asks You to Like it and many took the Bait. Steve Martin Fans may give the Comedian Kudos for Underplaying and Still Managing to be Steve Martin Funny. He and the Movie are Somewhat Successful, but Overall it isn't much, but has a Certain Easy Appeal.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a wonderful '80s comedy, the type we don't see any longer. Today the humor, for the most part, is vulgar. For some reason, in the '80s, comedies were actually funny.Michael Caine and Steve Martin are two con man who wind up competing on the Riviera. Caine is a classy con man, Lawrence Jamieson, targeting rich widows as he sports different accents claiming he's funding a revolution for his country, helping the poor, the hungry, etc. Martin is Freddy Benson, lower class but after the same targets.Freddy asks Lawrence to tutor him in the art of the high-class con. Freddy doesn't want him around as he feels the Riviera isn't big enough for both of them. Freddy, however, isn't leaving. So they agree on a bet. The first one to strip a young heiress (Glenne Headly) of $50,000 stays, and the other leaves.What follows is hilarious. Both men are at the top of their game here. Steve Martin can make you laugh with a facial expression. The scene where he attempts to "walk" after being in a wheelchair is a riot. Caine as Lawrence is brilliant as a suave sophisticate, and his getting the better of Freddy in several scenes is a delight. The end has a neat twist.This film was adapted into a successful Broadway musical, and it is opening in London starring Robert Lindsay ("My Family"). It's a fun story. Wish today we had more like this.