Review of Dirty Work (1998) by Slarti B — 20 Oct 2010

Note to self: This film is underrated.

Yes, this is a vehicle for Norm McDonald, and not much more than that. What makes the film work? Norm McDonald.

To put it stupidly-simple, if you don't like Norm McDonald's brand of overly-dry sarcastic "I don't give a damn" style, then the movie isn't for you. What makes the movie work is the sillyness-level the dialogue gets. It has that Caddyshack-Anchorman "What the HELL" funny-quality to it.

The film does rely on cheap laughs now and again which take away from it, the typical "that's a lot of body-hair", and "he peed on that guy", joke.

But then the film redeems itself with Sam's father subscribing to "Impotent Old Men and Whore" monthly magazine, Chris Farley's nose being bitten off by a Saigon whore, and Norm not accepting Sam's father's apology for being "a creepy old man". He apologizes for being a creepy old man, but then puts him in an awkward headlock?

The movie has some quality jokes, and that's really Norm doing his after-the-fact overly dry sarcasm lifted straight from his -very funny- standup acts. Reminiscent of the Weekend Update days.

This movie is a cult-classic that has laughable jokes from start to finish. It's well written, but horribly directed by Bob Saget, at least visually. It's really stagnant and the photography doesn't have a lot of flow from shot to shot.

The writing and Norm's performance are strong, and that's really what the movie is based on. Rent this one, or find it in a discount bin if you're a fan of Norm, lots of laughs.

"Hello, real cops?".