Ruthless People

Danny DeVito is a wonderful dirtball, and Bette Middler is a spectacular loud-mouth shrew of a wife! They work so well as a dysfunctional couple it's scary! The script and plot for this movie are predominantly well-done....and just original enough to make it sparkle. Judge Rhinehold is great as the average joe who kidnaps Bette so he can demand a ransome from DeVito in order to get revenge...because Danny ripped him off on a business deal and made a fortune! The only problem is, Danny was going to kill his wife anyway. So, he refuses to pay the ransome, and goes out of his way to not follow any of the kidnappers demands. Even when the kidnappers lower their price, Danny just won't play ball! Anita Morris does a wonderful job in the role of Danny's conniving, unscrupulous lover who wants to blackmail DeVito with a video of his wife's murder. There are plenty of plot twists and interesting alleys that are traversed to keep this zany comedy entertaining. And since so many people in the world really are this self-obsessed and "ruthless", this is a very funny mirror held up to human nature. So, look in the mirror, see that ruthless gleem in your eye...or the ruthless gleem in the eye of your lover (the one you're sure you can trust)...then, go out and get this movie! No matter what evil things are happening in your life, this movie will be a scream (or at least a laugh!)

This is just plain nuts - a really funny film, with comedic actors who have honed their skills consummately, great scripting and direction, hilarious but believable sets and a thoroughly satisfying experience after viewing - and all for a price that makes going to a cinema look pretty dear. Besides, you can laugh without embarrassment, not endure the slutty language of the teens behind you, and watch the film again with glee, your pre-teens having just as much fun as the home-from-college-blasé sophisticate that's costing more per year than a new high-end sports car. Pretty cool - if you've seen it, you're probably nodding and grinning, and thinking about adding it to your library; if you haven't, take a shot - if you have a funny bone in your body, you'll love this little romp.

Sam Stone (Danny DeVito) wants to kill his wife, Barbara (Bette Midler), due to equal parts of hate and greed. Before he can commit the crime, she is kidnapped by a married couple that Stone had cheated years earlier. The kidnappers (Judge Reinhold & Helen Slater) demand a ransom or threaten to kill her but Stone's only interest is in provoking them into doing just that. To add a little spice to the mix, Stone also has a mistress who wants to blackmail him for the murder that she still believes he's committed. All of this happens within the first ten minutes of the movie and things get more complicated from there.

Sam Stone and his wife both live up to the movie title superbly. Danny DeVito is perfect as a ruthless, conniving S.O.B. who will stop at nothing, including murder, to get what he wants. Bette Midler plays Barbara as a holy terror to her kidnappers and torments them in every way possible. She taunts and berates them, and deals out a good deal of physical punishment as well. Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater are probably the world's nicest kidnappers as they try to get their money while providing Barbara with home cooked meals and a freshly cleaned room of her own including a television and workout equipment. Bill Pullman makes his movie debut here in a small but funny role as yet another person trying to squeeze a buck out of the situation.

The story probably wouldn't hold up to major scrutiny but for a comedy it's more than solid enough. There are some very funny moments in the film, many involving Midler and the kidnappers, and most of the rest isn't bad. A few bits do fall with a bit of a thud, but these are the exception, not the rule. Ruthless People isn't a great comedy, but it is a good one and the cast is a treat to watch. I'd recommend it in general, and if you're a fan of Danny DeVito or Bette Midler then it is really a must see.

A comedy with the creators of AIRPLANE! & Naked Gun!
A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!A Movie w/ the best cast!!!!!!

Everybody in this movie is just a little wacky. Totally adult movie with Bette Midler at her blue language best. The ending is fantastic.