Acting: 20/20 Writing: 30/40 Directing/Editing/Production/Etc: 38/40Overall: 88/100 B+Review: Danny DeVito and Bette Midler really get a chance to showcase their talents in this film. Whenever either one is on the screen, they immediately grab your attention with the way that they completely give themselves over to these roles. The delivery of their lines are perfect, and the nuances of facial expression and body language from both actors are exemplary examples of how to take comedy to a higher level.Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater, as the kidnappers. also perform true to their characters and provide solid performances. In addition, Anita Morris and Bill Pullman add great entertainment values with their own characters. Bill Pullman, particularly, does a phenomenal job with his character.As far as the comedic part of this script goes, I have to give it an A+. This film is so clever and the jokes never stop hitting the mark. From the abundance of witty lines to the comical situations and the many scenes that intertwine the two, this film is well worth the watch. Some of the jokes were so direct and biting - but hilarious - I doubt they'd be used in a similar comedy in today's time.That being said, there were some choices in the script that took away from the film.*Spoiler Alert!*The biggest plot hole was the fact that the kidnappers were able to pull off their intelligent and elaborate scheme at the end of the film, yet had been so easily deceived by DeVito's character which "triggered" the kidnapping in the first place. This took away from the ending of the film.In addition, the ending scene of Bette Midler's character joining the couple on the beach with the 3 of them "going off into the sunset", after pushing DeVito's character off of the Santa Monica pier, was a very odd choice. Barbara was established as a very nasty character and while it can be said that her husband used her and maybe she gained weight from being so unhappy, she didn't get any nicer at the end of the film; There was no change in heart for her. So it was a bit odd that she lost 20 pounds, took her husband's money and walked off into the sunset without having to pay for her "ruthless" character, as others did in the film, but getting rewarded for it instead. Not sure if it was saying women can/do/should get away with that stuff or what the message there was?Furthermore, another plot hole was the fact that Anita Morris' character had her picture with Sam published in the newspaper (after the photos were found by the police) yet she wasn't contacted by the police, nor did she make any note of her picture being in the newspaper and even went on to keep "blackmailing" the police chief. This was odd, though the situation and lines used here were hilarious.*End of Spoiler Alert!*The beginning of the film starts with an animation sequence that lasts for about 2:35. It's not exactly the most enticing introduction and in modern times, could be seen as kind of cheesy. Aside from that, the flow and pace of the film were flawless and the editing and production etc. warrant no complaints.Overall this film is a really great comedy that delivered laughs throughout the entire film. A very fun watch!

Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Anita Morris and Bill Pullman star in this 1986 comedy. This takes place in California where we meet Sam Stone (DeVito), a wealthy, obnoxious businessman who plots to murder his wife, Barbara (Midler). His plan backfires, when she's kidnapped by Ken (Reinhold) and his wife, Sandy (Slater), ex-employees of Sam who want payback. Things also go unexpectedly for them, when they learn that Sam doesn't care what happens to Barbara. Soon, Barbara bonds with her kidnappers and they work together to teach Sam a lesson. The late, Morris (18 Again) plays Sam's mistress, Carol and Pullman (Spaceballs) plays her dumb boyfriend, Earl who unsuccessfully try to blackmail Sam. This is a good 80's comedy with a great cast and DeVito & Midler were also in "Get Shorty" 9 years later. I recommend this.

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker started out making movies like "Airplane!". With "Ruthless People", they took the style epitomized by 1960s comedies - a scheme snowballs - and turned it into a satire on the nouveau riche. Upon learning that his wife has gotten kidnapped by a pair of designers angry about a stolen prototype, a clothing designer celebrates, hoping that he can run off with his mistress. And before too long, more and more people get pulled into the fiasco.Danny DeVito's character is the typical slimy businessman; he even buys a dog and names it Adolf! Bette Midler looks bizarre wearing a wig. I think that Helen Slater's character was my favorite, but Anita Morris's was also enigmatic. And then there's Bill Pullman (whom I never confused with Bill Paxton): he has bleached hair! It's not the funniest movie but I enjoyed it. It's got a lot of "oh no...oh yes" scenes. You'll like it and you'll like Midler's other 1986 movie poking fun at rich Angelenos: "Down and Out in Beverly Hills".PS: "Weird Al" Yankovic spoofed the theme song as "Toothless People".

It's a tight script for Touchstone, a comedy of errors where three plots and serial killer meet in a happy end. I saw this during its original release and loved it. I still love it. It's nice to see a movie without a lot of toilet humour and f-bombs. The dialog is filled with memorable lines but the humour is in knowing what the characters don't and the on screen charisma of Di Vito and Middler.Pay attention and you'll see the L.A. cityscape during the 80's along with all that was bad in 80's design along with Santa Monica Pier before the redesign in the 90's. Great film for a rain day or a bad mood.