Ruthless People is not as popular a film by the Zucker brothers as Airplane and Naked Gun, but it is absolutely in no way inferior to the above films. It has everything we love about Zuckers. Namely - a light atmosphere, energetic pitch and, first of all, a really cool, sparkling humor, in some places even on the verge of foul. I laughed for most of the film. Today my extensive list of favorite paintings received another pleasant addition.
Danny DeVito is one of my favorite actors, whose appearance always makes me smile. And his role in Ruthless People is one of the best in the actor’s rich filmography. The actor Bette Midler was pleased. And Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater made up one of the sweetest couples on the big screen, incredibly relaxed entering the images of their heroes. As the saying goes, “I was worried about their relationship more than my own.” I had a lot of fun watching
Before us is the third joint project of the legendary directors Zucker – Abrahams – Zucker. This great trinity could blow any project with its humor. This film, although not popular, but it stands firmly on its feet and even now it is very interesting to watch. This movie is built on deception. Every character in this movie lies to each other. Everything is very confused and at the end we are waiting for a very funny ending.
I have to say a big thank you to two legendary actors, this is about Bette Midler and Danny DeVito. Without them, this movie lost its spark. They created very vivid images. A husband who hates his wife and a wife who cannot be tolerated. I think these roles were the best in their filmography. Especially, of course, Midler succeeded, watching her curve will be very fun. She has always been a talented actress, it is a pity that not all directors saw this.
This movie has long been a classic of humor. Zucker and his friends made a film for all time. Even he can't shoot so brightly now. I think this film will appeal to all those people who love old cinema. Remember such films as “Airplane”, “Hot Heads” and “Top Secret”, this film was shot by the directors of all these films. I don’t think it’s necessary to explain why you should watch it. The film raises the mood very quickly, and it is expensive.
In the end, we have a very funny sitcom. This movie will be very funny. I'll give you the best estimate. Such films should be known to all real moviegoers. Without such films, there would be no modern cinema. A masterpiece.
You stole my wife?! I'm beside myself with happiness!!
Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker – these are the people who breathed new life into the genre of film parody when in 1980 they presented the film “Airplane”. Such a relaxed, funny, somewhat naive, but having its own zest - jokes and funny situations, furnished with the most unflappable and serious look really made people laugh. Deciding that they actually manage the trio of filmmakers do not go off the initial track and four years after “Aeroplane” release the film “Top Secret!”, which also brought joy to the audience. I must say that their films have another notable point – all of them in the original end with an exclamation point. So it was in these two films, so it will be with the “Naked Gun” and “Police Squad” and even with “Hot Heads”, but this identification symbol will participate only when Abrahams and Zuckers will be engaged in parodies, but the film “Rightless People” though a comedy, but the parody has nothing to do.
I must say that the film “Rightless people” have a reference to the works of the great American writer William Sidney Porter better known to the world under the pseudonym of O. Henry, and summarizing the motives of O. Henry’s stories to the realities of American life of the 80s of the last century was engaged in screenwriter Dale Loner, for whom “Rightless people” became the debut. And they will tell us in the film about the Stone family couple - short businessman Sam (Danny DeVito) and about the screaming and bitchy Barbara (Bett Middler). Sam, at meetings with his mistress (Anita Morris), says that he gladly got rid of the completely annoying wife, but then he learns that Barbara ... was kidnapped! Sam is not happy, because the Kidneppers promise to kill his wife and he decides to do everything with the hands of other people, just to bring Barbara to the next world. But Barbara has fallen into the hands of grief kidnappers - the Kessler family (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater), who are as far away from ruthless criminals as we are from here to Mars. And the kidnapping is becoming increasingly irrelevant, especially after Barbara has become a close friend of the Kesslers. And at this time, not only Sam Stone leads his game, but also his mistress along with his friend Earl (Bill Pullman).
That’s how it turns out in the famously twisted story of the kidnapping of Barbara Stone, that three independent forces play their game at once and this, of course, gives the film “Rightless People” originality and thereby excludes scenes that are added only to ensure that the timing was longer than that of short films. Another additional and noticeable plus of the picture is that it is completely devoid of stupid jokes below the belt. In the 80s of the last century, they still knew that jokes should have a sign of quality, and funny situations should not be reduced to the same type of letters. Ruthless People are also on the winning side thanks to the fact that the crime itself is framed in the satirical shell that O. Henry loved so much, and the selection of light tones in the film helps maintain a good mood throughout the film. So came a good comedy, smart on the basis: “do not dig a hole for another, otherwise you will fall into it yourself”, and its dynamic development with unexpected plot twists allows you to keep an eye on what is happening all the time.
You can not pass by the moment that the picture is well-chosen actors, where everyone is in his place. Danny DeVito after “Roman with a Stone” and “Pearl of the Nile” declared himself at the top of his voice as an excellent comedy actor of a wide profile, but he did the best scams and to these two films you can add “Twins” and, of course, “Ruthless People”. Oh, and selfish bastard he came out in the image of Sam Stone and hardly the viewer can have doubts that he will be punished, but this is how - it will be interesting to see. Bette Midler perfectly played her character in a comedic way. Her caustic and grumpy nature against the background of the cute Kesslers looked like the nature of a real gorgon, but still gradually imbued with sympathy for Barbara, especially seeing how she loses weight for aerobics programs. "Are Kesslers cute?" you say. Yes, you still have to look for such cute kidnappers, and then the question is who suffered more from Kidnapping: Barbara or them? So both actors Judge Reinhold (star of the Beverly Hills Cop trilogy) and Helen Slater actually add kindness to the film, despite their sinister misconduct. And Anita Morris and Bill Pullman fit well into the acting ensemble.
A kind, quick comedy, created according to all the canons of the 80s, which is now even fearless to show children. Her age limiter "16+" should not be scary, because now there are a lot of paintings with this rating, but many of them are definitely not shown. And “Rightless People” is a good film for family viewing and a special entourage gives it the opportunity to nostalgia for colorful comedies and wonderful actors.
8 out of 10
P.S. Not so long ago I watched the movie “Steal My Wife” with Jennifer Aniston and Tim Robbins in the lead roles and, it turns out, the script of this film lay on the shelf for a long time, because it was prepared for the release just in the year of the premiere of “Rightless People”. Let me put it this way: comparing "Ruthless People" and "Steal My Wife" in quality is like natural bacon with chips tasted like natural bacon.
There are films that the viewer has pretty much forgotten, and old movie fans only rub their hands. They, like leprechauns, extract treasure from the caskets (in this case, videotapes), and rubbing their palms, glad that no one else looks at diamonds. They put them in an old VCR and get pleasure, which others are unjustly deprived of.
Well, that's not gonna happen again. Today I will tear the veil off these individualists.
Sometimes very useful films (yes, what can I say, and real masterpieces) are lost under a pile of fresh, loud names, bright slogans and really strong paintings. In pursuit of the new, the old for us is pushed to the background. This is often used by Hollywood producers. They know that it is worth digging into the layers of the mountain of time, and you will definitely find some gem that you only need to cut in the light of modern realities. And please, the remake is ready. So it was with “King Kong”, “Fly” and a number of other paintings.
This is the case with “Rightless People.” I don’t think they’re going to make it, and thank God. Because ruthless people don’t need it. This film is so self-sufficient in its current form that it could not be better.
Just look at the constellation of big names: Jim Abrahams, the Zucker Brothers, Danny DeVito, Bett Midler, Bill Pullman! Isn't that beautiful? Only after reading them, you need to at least pay attention to the film, but in fact it is so necessary to get acquainted with it.
Abrahams and Zuckers, the famous great hohmachi, tell us the story of two hapless abductors. Deciding to take such a desperate step, not being villains themselves, they make themselves “experienced”, real “merciless people”.
But they do not know, kidnapping the wife of the “king of miniskirts”, by nature a terrible bitch, that they will make trouble for themselves and do a great service to her husband. When they begin to call and in a sinister voice demand ransom, he will not only laugh at them, but openly mock them. Poor woe-criminals are in a terrible situation: not only that they will not see money, so in the basement sits terribly nasty and angry millionaire, with whom it is unclear what to do now.
And then...
I'm not going to tell you anymore. I can only assure you that it will be even more interesting.
Danny DeVito is not only a master of comedy roles, he does something incredible here. How cool he portrays the barely restrained joy, the ostentatious grief associated with the abduction of his wife! He changes his masks so quickly that you are amazed.
For Bette Midler, being in comedies is also a big deal. Her bitch came out first-class, and then, since her heroine reincarnates into a completely different person, the actress showed this metamorphosis as well as possible.
Dodge Reinhold in the role of the husband of the kidnapper family also played well. He so coolly poops his eyes, expressing confusion or fear that fits into his image just perfectly. We also see what a decent man he is, when trying to “sweat” a slightly crazy metalist music columns more expensive, he suddenly notices his pregnant wife. Words are superfluous - all emotions on the face. Dallenhall plays the right thing. And he will not sell expensive columns, realizing that this obsessed will lay out the entire family budget for the sake of his favorite toy.
Well, Bill Pullman. Ruthless People became his first feature film after serial roles. Having played here a near performer of the machinations of the mistress “king of miniskirts”, he fully proved that the role in the “big movie” he is quite up to his teeth.
All I have to say is that Ruthless People is a beautiful comedy. With an interesting script, healthy humor and great acting. Look clearly.
- I don't think he likes her... Well, let's face it, she's not Mother Teresa. Even Gandhi could strangle her.
For the first time I saw this picture in a distant childhood, and I confess to be honest then this comedy I did not particularly like. Actually, there is nothing surprising here because this film is designed for an older audience, and given the fact that pirates did not bother much about what to record on videotapes, then in the far nineties you could find a cassette on which there were “Greek Relief Girl” and say “Bambi Deer”. Oh, it was a nice time, but I got distracted. Fifteen years have passed since I first saw this film, and now I, overwhelmed by curiosity, decided to watch this film again and... radically changed my opinion about it. Does that happen? One way or another, this is "Ruthless People."
The story begins when Sam Stone decides to kill his wife. A life-affirming beginning, don't you think? But wait to build in your imagination pictures of the cruel reprisal of a charming short man over his wife, who will turn anyone into a ram horn, because before us there is a comedy, and therefore no one will be cut and killed... well, maybe a little, but I was distracted. So, coming home, Sam does not find his wife at home and as it later turns out, Barbara Stone was kidnapped and now the attackers demand half a million dollars otherwise the “hotly beloved” wife of Sam is waiting for a date with angels. And instead of following the instructions of unknown kidnappers, Sam opens a bottle of wine, invites the police and journalists to his house and makes sure the criminals do what they want. The trouble is that the Kessler couple are not professional criminals and have no idea how to behave and what to do if a person refuses to pay a ransom. Perhaps you can “appreciate” the wife of a successful businessman?
The title of the picture, as well as the screensaver suggest that before the viewer there will be a film about cold-blooded scoundrels for whom everything human is alien, but then you look at the year of release and sigh with relief because the times of Tarantino and Guy Ritchie have not yet come and in Hollywood have not yet idealized criminals and villains, and violence was not raised into a cult. And indeed, before the viewer there is an interesting, and sometimes even naive comedy that gives an inner kindness, even though most characters are far from the concept of “good people”. But these people are clearly bad to call the language does not turn. They're just people, with their cockroaches in their head, their hopes in their hearts, and their wallets in which the mouse hanged itself. For example, the main character of the picture, Sam Stone, hoping to quickly get rich, took a woman he hates, but the trouble father of this wonderful lady lived for another fifteen years than crossed out all the plans of Stone. And in general, Sam Stone is not lucky ... in fact, this is a normal state for the heroes of Danny DeVito. Sam tried to prove to his son-in-law, while he was still alive, that he was worth something, he tried to prove to his wife that he was worth something and he tries to prove it to himself. But in fact, it turns out that Sam Stone is just a small crook, who has everything falling out of his hands and if something good happens in his life, then something bad happens so that the hero does not feel like honey. And in fact, despite the fact that the character De Vito is both a hero and a villain of the film, it is purely humanly pathetic. Maybe it’s because I like this talented actor, or maybe it’s because Sam Stone didn’t do anything really wrong in the movie. Or here’s a good example, the wife of the hero – Barbara Stone, an eccentric and self-confident young lady who is sharp on the tongue, knows the price and can well give back to the abuser, so that she never gets up again. That's just her violent temper and bloodthirsty habits are, in fact, the mask of Barbara, but in fact she is quite kind and responsive person, who just need to get through. What can we say about the so-called kidnappers, a young couple who want this extravagant way to return the money that Sam Stone stole from them and which in life and flies did not offend. Although no, Ken crushed the spider, it's hardly a crime. And then this is compensated by the fact that Ken is a crystal honest person and does not deceive his customers, even if the latter are ready to give a lot of money for another “stuff”. The same thing happens with secondary characters, each of which has its own truth and each of which, willingly or unwillingly, is able to evoke sympathy from the viewer.
The creators could not do without satire on our lives. Starting from the fact that ordering help from the outside, get ready to get not what you expected and the situation with the "battle dog" Sam demonstrates that. And to the end, people just won't do anything, and everyone needs an incentive. For example, the police did not even think about conducting an investigation into the disappearance of Mrs. Stone, but as soon as the chief of police receives a tape with questionable content, ordinary police officers immediately began to demonstrate active action. Miracles! Or when the car fell into the water, no one rushed to help the driver, but as soon as the money began to surface, there were many rescuers. It's all about the incentive of ladies and gentlemen.
Summing up, I want to say that before us there is a great comedy, with a wonderful cast, a fascinating plot and good musical accompaniment. The only thing is that the film is designed for an adult, sophisticated audience, but not for children and teenagers, because they may not understand or understand the wrong humor that is present in the film. From me, the picture receives honestly deserved:
A law-abiding couple decides to raise their financial affairs and take hostage the wife of a former boss, who, in addition, steals their ideas. But the young people did not know that at this time the husband was ready to order his wife.
The story itself does not end with humor. The plot is full of offshoots. What is the fragment with a street thief who decided at the most inopportune moment to rob DeVito with a case in his hand and a hundred undercover cops behind him? The authors liked this move so much that they used it twice during these two hours.
Although the goal of the main characters - innocent sheep in a mercantile life - money, one of the main meanings of the film, other than to entertain the viewer, is to ridicule greed. Here is a symbolic scene with hundreds of bills popping up in the ocean.
People stand on the bridge and watch a car fall into the water.
You need to dive, help...
The water is too cold...
- I heard an underwater current.
- I think I saw a shark.
But as soon as the waves appear dollars, these same people instantly forget about the obstacles and dive into the ocean.
Danny DeVito's character married Barbara (Bett Midler) for big bucks and their entire marriage pretended to love her. It seems that this endless compulsion to show non-existent feelings, worked on him back: he became terribly annoyed with everything related to his wife (as a result, the dog got it). But on the screen we will see this funny duet only at the very end, when the pretense fades away. A healthy rage lies between the understanding of marriage by wealthy spouses and the “gangster” couple: “Of course he will pay the ransom, she is his wife!” – the young husband naively and confidently answers to all the doubts of the young wife.
Also remembered are young actors depicting a married couple with their attendant problems. He will not offend flies, and he will not sell goods, because he does not know how to lie, because he is honest. She is a waitress (clear on stage, where she wears an apron and a badge), shy and talented with a hairstyle à la Lady D.
I won’t tell you how this cute comedy (which turns into a thriller in seconds and sometimes into a social drama) will end, but the end of this film for me is one of the freshest and most joyful in American cinema.