MOVIE · 1988

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

ComedyCrime110 min

On the French Riviera, polished swindler Lawrence Jamieson lives well by charming wealthy tourists until a cruder rival starts working his territory. Michael Caine is Lawrence, all silk ties and manners; Steve Martin's Freddy Benson hustles with louder, messier scams that threaten to expose them both. To settle who belongs in town, the two con artists make a wager: the first to take $50,000 from an American heiress, Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly), stays, and the loser leaves. Their contest turns every gesture, accent, and sob story into part of the game.