DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS

US, 1988, 110 minutes, Colour.
Steve Martin, Michael Caine, Glenne Headley, Anton Rogers, Barbara Harris.
Directed by Frank Oz.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is an amusing comedy. It is an updated remake of the 1964 comedy Bedtime Story with David Niven and Marlon Brando as conmen on the Riviera, with Shirley Jones. This time, Michael Caine is expert in the Niven style. Steve Martin uses his usual style of mugging in the Brando role. Glenne Headley is excellent in the Shirley Jones role. There is good support from Anton Rodgers as the police chief. The film uses the Riviera locations beautifully. It also enjoys itself in the vein of The Sting, the audience sharing in the confidence tricks and the tricksters being tricked.

Direction is by Frank Oz, of Muppets fame, whose film-directing debut was the remake of The Little Shop of Horrors.

1. Entertaining comedy, stings and confidence tricks, humour and games?

2. The work of Frank Oz, his background with the Muppets and comedy? Riviera and Zurich locations? Opulence, smooth style and pace? The wit of the songs as background and comment?

3. The title and expectations? Cynical, humour? The parody of the disabled and the lunatic son - comic, possibility of offence?

4. The introduction to Lawrence: not seeing him as the prince, the gifts of the jewels, the money, the women contributing to his cause? Self-confidence and experience? The women and his techniques? His reliance on Andre for support? Mrs Eubanks and her experience? His decision to go to Zurich after dividing the money?

5. The introduction to Freddie on the train, conning the meal, the discussion with Lawrence, Lawrence's ruse against Freddie, Freddie's return, the money? His spending the money, being photographed, being arrested, pleading, Lawrence helping him out, onto the plane? The irony of his meeting Mrs Eubanks and his return?

6. The return and the confrontation, blackmail? Lawrence in the manner of Pygmalion, educating Freddie as an upper-class confidence man, manners, walking, speaking? Their going into tricksterism: the impersonation of the mad brother and the breaking off of the various engagements? Spending the money on art and restoration? Freddie's resentment? The bet?

7. The appearance of Janet, gawky, the soap queen of America, the money and the winnings, Freddie in the wheelchair gaining her sympathy, his story about the grandmother's operation? Possibility of therapy from the German doctor? The humour of Lawrence becoming Dr Emile? The meeting, the therapy and its severity with Freddie, hitting his leg? Coming to the house as a guest? Freddie and his suffering: breakfast, the steps in the wheelchair, the beach? Going to the dance, the sailors? His betraying Lawrence to the sailors? The scene of the final therapy and his being able to walk - and the irony of Lawrence being there and Janet in collusion with him?

8. Lawrence and Freddie as characters, their contrasts, abilities in confidence tricksterism? Outwitting each other? Lawrence and his pity for Janet? Putting her on the plane, the fee? Freddie and not pitying her? His being robbed, the return, his sexual ambitions?

9. The realisation of the truth - when did the audience realise about Janet? The clues about the Jackall? Her return with the group, inviting Lawrence to impersonate the Australian? Freddie as mute? The ending with everybody tricking?

10. Andre and the irony of his role as police chief, collusion with Lawrence, helping him out with imprisoning Freddie, etc.?

11. A comedy of laughs, tricks, contrasts, irony with Janet? Playing on human nature?