There is occasionally a balletic elegance to the duelling interplay between Steve Martin's brash hustler and Michael Caine's sophisticated con artist in this 1988 remake of Bedtime Story directed by Frank Oz. The perpetual and borderline exhausting nature of the setup is alleviated by well-placed shifts in rhythm and power balance, which allow the film to stay one step ahead every time you think it has become too predictable and repetitive. Michael Caine's performance is surprisingly accomplished for such lightweight material. And Steve Martin delivers his expected routines, which will no doubt please his fans.
Review of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
(1988)
Duelling interplay between Steve Martin and Michael Caine
6 August 2023