Review of Ruthless People (1986) by Troy M — 26 Nov 2010
"Ruthless People" is a farce directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, best known for the "Airplane!" and "Naked Gun" comedies and the comedy trio fill almost every scene with laughs. A couple (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater) cheated by a vile businessman (Danny DeVito) decide to kidnap his wife (Bette Midler) and ask for ransom but the businessman, who was planning to kill his wife anyway, refuses to pay.
"Ruthless" owes less to "Dr Strangelove", the granddaddy of dark comedies than it does to the 80s as a decade as it would not have worked without the decade's "greed is good" mindset and color blocked fashion sense. But Midler and DeVito's committed performances are the film's high points. Midler delivers the best line "I've been kidnapped by Kmart" and she nails it - it's both hilarious and heartbreaking. DeVito does wicked glee better than anyone and "Ruthless" is a perfect vehicle for him.
Dark comedies don't come any better than "Ruthless People" a smart mix between wicked and wacky that takes full advantage of the vast comedic gifts of its actors.
This review of Ruthless People (1986) was written by Troy M on 26 Nov 2010.
Ruthless People has generally received positive reviews.
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