Ruthless People (1986)
Review by Thespia
Film:
DVD:

Directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker & Jerry Zucker
Written by Dale Launer
Starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Bill Pullman

Anamorphic: Nope.

My Advice: Rent it.

Sam Stone (DeVito) married the boss’s daughter (Midler), who he hates down to “the way she licks stamps". Now he has grand plans to eliminate his inconvenient bride so he can inherit her fundage and tie the knot with his mistress. However--these plans are interrupted when she’s kidnapped by two gun-shy amateurs who seek revenge against Stone. Stone couldn't be happier--since he has no intentions of complying with the kidnappers' demands. Then...things start to get both interesting and very, very amusing.

So amusing are things that they make this movie of laugh-out-loud quality. Being a big fan of both Midler and DeVito, I was also a fan of the film from jump. The flick combines their talents for vicious hilarity in a wonderful manner. They're both in great form and cast beautifully. The supporting cast is quite entertaining as well, although the standout is the extremely hilarious Bill Pullman--playing the boyfriend of the aforementioned mistress, who could well be "the stupidest person on the face of the Earth." All the pieces come together, not only Launer's script but the production and costume design. There's just nothing like the lunacy of say...people wearing duck masks and brandishing guns...or, well, Midler's hair for a good part of the film.

The DVD has no features whatsoever, which makes me rather disappointed. A commentary track with Midler and DeVito would have been perfect. Or think about the outtakes they must have generated with these actors. It's sad when you long for just some text actor bios.

In short, Ruthless People is a cute, clever comedy well worth seeing. If you want the DVD for reasons of posterity or just to have a version in widescreen, go ahead. Otherwise, rent it for now and hope that something better comes down the pike.