Ruthless People

Directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, Ruthless People details the chaos that ensues after a spoiled heiress (Bette Midler’s Barbara) is kidnapped by inept criminals (Judge Reinhold’s Ken and Helen Slater’s Sandy) and held for ransom – with said criminals thrown for a loop after Barbara’s husband (Danny DeVito’s Sam), who had been concocting a plan to kill her, refuses to pay the money. It’s a darkly comedic premise that’s generally employed to exceedingly watchable (and often very funny) effect by Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, as the filmmakers, working from a screenplay by Dale Launer, deliver a briskly-paced endeavor teeming with hilarious bits and scene-stealing performances – with, in terms of the latter, the various actors all acquitting themselves exceedingly well and elevating the proceedings on an impressively consistent basis. (DeVito’s spellbinding turn as the vicious Sam remains a highlight, to be sure, although Bill Pullman, making his debut here, effortlessly steps into the shoes of his dimwitted character to an often captivating extent.) And although there are admittedly a handful of lulls within the movie’s midsection – the narrative is, when all’s said and done, a little on the thin side – Ruthless People‘s escalating atmosphere paves the way for a compelling, satisfying third act that ultimately confirms its place as a superior black comedy.

*** out of ****