Rating: 
Summary: My only regret, Carol, is that the plan isn't more violent.
Review: Did I like Ruthless People? That is a tough question and just like every good story, there are two sides. On the positive side, I miss this type of comedy in cinema today. I miss the physical humor, the goofiness, and the instant creativity that could be seen behind the camera. In today's movie world, this is normally cluttered with "fart" jokes and sexual innuendo. I miss the comedies of the 80s; there was some innocence to them. Perhaps it was that warm fuzzy feeling that they always left you with (no matter if you were rooting for the bad guy or the good guy) or maybe it was the actors of that era. The youth of today do not have actors like Danny DeVito (who can now be found most of the time producing films), Bette Midler, Bill Pullman (pre-Independence Day), and especially the infamous Judge Reinhold. What would my generation be like without the shenanigans of Judge? His humor was so perfect that if I were going to make a movie today, he would be cast no matter what. I would also like to add that Danny DeVito was superb in this film. His ability to play the ruthless, soulless, anti-hero was amazing. He had me grinning from ear to ear whenever he was on screen.
Another great aspect was the stories. They were simple, yet imaginative. They were stupid, yet somewhat funny. They were incoherent, yet always ended on a happy note. Look at the story behind Ruthless People and look at the stories in today's modern cinema ... see any similarities? I surely do not. There was something just plain 80s about the standoff scene with Reinhold, DeVito, and Pullman that could not be done the same today. There would be CGI or unmasking, or anything that would detract from the main focus of this film ... the actors. Films of this era were focused on the actors, that is what sold the movie and made it popular. Today, I wish we could say the same. Now it is all about the CGI and the explosions. It is very rare that you find a very actor centered comedy and for this I will forever be sad.
As I stated above, there are two sides to every story. While I did enjoy the actors in this film and the imagination, there was something that tugged me the wrong way and that was story overloading. There was too much happening in this film. I totally disliked the side story with the Bedroom killer. I honestly felt as if this could have (and should have) been left out of this film. In a 93 minute film, there was just too much happening. I didn't feel as if everything had a conclusion. There were parts still floating up in the air when the final credits rolled. Carol and Pullman's scenes were important in moving the story, but I didn't feel they ever finalized anything. The problem that you run into when you try to push this much into 93 minutes is under developing some possible funny parts. I could have used some pre-story on the Kesslers and even some more information on the random killer. The quickness of this film also lead to a quick ending for DeVito when I was finally starting to see the brilliance behind his character.
I say this, but perhaps this is what the 80s comedy was all about. An undeveloped story coupled with amazing comedic actors make for a decent film. Possibly, but it still doesn't make Ruthless People rank up there with the likes of Ghostbusters and Quick Change.
Overall, this was a decent film. I first thought that it wasn't the greatest, but the ending knocked it up a notch. The DVD quality really wasn't the best, but I guess we are more concerned about the extra 50 minutes on LoTR instead of refurbishing some of our classics.
Grade: *** out of *****
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie, great cast!
Review: Excellent comedy with a perfect cast. I especially liked Helen Slaters performance. Though Middler and DeVito were great too (as usual).
Rating:
Summary: 'I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!"
Review: Extremely funny movie. Danny Devito plays the part of a husband who married his wife for her money and now wants to get rid of her (he's got a girlfriend on the side). Bette Middler plays the loud-mouth rich wife. Just when Devito decides to put his plans into action, she is kidnapped. He is thrilled and refuses to pay the ransom hoping the kidnappers will follow through on their threat to knock her off if he doesn't pay up. While he's laughing and celebrating, the police think he's mourning. The kidnappers find they've taken on more than the average kidnapped victim, especially since they are really a soft-hearted couple who felt Danny owed them for ripping off the wife's idea. Bette Midler is no tame, soft spoken woman. The movie is one of those side-splitting comedies that is great from the start to the finish! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: 'I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!"
Review: Extremely funny movie. Danny Devito plays the part of a husband who married his wife for her money and now wants to get rid of her (he's got a girlfriend on the side). Bette Middler plays the loud-mouth rich wife. Just when Devito decides to put his plans into action, she is kidnapped. He is thrilled and refuses to pay the ransom hoping the kidnappers will follow through on their threat to knock her off if he doesn't pay up. While he's laughing and celebrating, the police think he's mourning. The kidnappers find they've taken on more than the average kidnapped victim, especially since they are really a soft-hearted couple who felt Danny owed them for ripping off the wife's idea. Bette Midler is no tame, soft spoken woman. The movie is one of those side-splitting comedies that is great from the start to the finish! Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: CLASSIC COMEDY WITH A GREAT CAST
Review: Hilariously over the top comedy, made instantly memroable by the ever fabulous Bette Middler who easily steals the film along with Danny Devito. The general plot of this raucous comedy is that following Middler being kidnapped and held to ransom, the comic kidnappers don't realise that Middlers husband (Devito) wants her dead anyway. Crazy but very funny with a great cast that also includes Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Anita Morris and Bill Pulmon. Classic comedy that is highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Ruthless People desperate for the lovely green stuff money!!
Review: I cannot beleive this movie.This was a beleive or not a great movie.It showed this man named Sam Stone who hates his wife[he only married her for money].He plans to kill his wife but to his suprise Barbra Stone[played by Bette Midler]has been kidnapped.Then that's when they keep Barbra.Sam never pays the bail to get barbra out.So he finally tries to get her out when he is charged with murdering his wife.Then barbra and the kidnappers plans a plan to teach sam stone a lesson.It's a fiasco in Ruthless People.Have I helped you make up your mind?
Rating:
Summary: ruthless people rocks
Review: i have seen this movie several times and i still laugh my ___ off. danny devito in a role that seemed like it was made for him just does a supurb job in being a money grubbing tycoon (had me convinced). bette midler as his wife who is the kidnappie, i think (lol) judge reinhold and helen slater as the novice kidnappers. everything works in this movie & the stars put on quite a show the end result 2 1/2 hours of comedy genius
Rating:
Summary: An 80's comedy time capsule!
Review: I hope everyone didn't forget that Bette Midler was the highest grossing female film star of the 80's! This is the classic that will prove how she got the attention. This was released after Down And Out In Beverly Hills which brought Bette back into popularity at the movies. In fact, Down... is probably considered her funniest movie. I think Ruthless outshines all her comedies. It's sooo 80's, too! Scene after scene, this movie moves along with no time to be bored. Acting is perfect by all. Although Danny and Bette are never seen together until the end, they look so cute together. Danny Devito wants his abrasive wife kidnaped! Judge Reinhold had his multi million dollar idea stolen from Devito. Devito's mistress wants his money. And did I mention the serial killer? Very funny! I hope this will soon be re-released on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: A Comedy Classic with an All Star Cast!!!
Review: I saw this movie on cable, several times, I watch it every chance I get, I don't personally own it, but it will soon come into my DVD collection. The main character is played by Danny DeVito who plays philandering, money hungry tycoon Sam Stone(Danny plays this character with such relish) who has made enemies of the couple played by Helen Slater and Judge Rheinhold, whom he has wronged. They retaliate by kidnapping his wife played by Bette Middler. Put it this way the kidnappers end up being the most likable characters in the movie, with all the manuevers done by Sam Stone, his mistress played by Anita Morris, her dumb as a rock boyfriend played by Bill Pullman, the Police Commissioner, and the unsuspecting wife played by Betty Middler, who hopes to be rescued by her husband. It is funny, intelligent and it takes you for a cool entertaining ride with it's plot twists.
Rating:
Summary: A classic 80's movie!
Review: I was a big fan of Helen Slater's ever since "Supergirl," and so I decided to rent this movie! Throughout the whole movie, I was laughing my guts out! All of the cast members including lovely Slater (who's one of the shiest excuse of a kidnapper you could ever ask for) are a great stand-out! I'd like to own this movie someday if it comes out on DVD! I now declare it as one of my all-time favorite movies! I mean these people are so ruthless and wacky you can't help but laugh constantly throughout the whole movie!
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