Ruthless People (1986)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Directors:

Jim Abrahams
David Zucker

Writers:

Dale Launer (written by) and
O. Henry (story)

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

Barbara Stone has just been kidnapped by K-Mart, and what she doesn't know won't hurt her.

Plot:

A couple, cheated by a vile businessman, kidnap his wife in retalitation, without knowing that their enemy is delighted they did.

Plot Keywords:

Hooker | Police | Murder | Revenge | Blackmail

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Danny DeVito	...	Sam Stone
Bette Midler	...	Barbara Stone
Judge Reinhold	...	Ken Kessler
Helen Slater	...	Sandy Kessler
Anita Morris	...	Carol Dodsworth
Bill Pullman	...	Earl Mott
William G. Schilling	...	Chief Henry Benton
Art Evans	...	Lt. Bender
Clarence Felder	...	Lt. Walters
J.E. Freeman	...	Bedroom Killer
Gary Riley	...	Heavy Metal Kid
Phyllis Applegate	...	Loan Officer
Jeannine Bisignano	...	Hooker in Car
J.P. Bumstead	...	Technician
Jon Cutler	...	Stereo Store Customer

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:16 (video rating) | Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13 (re-rated) | USA:TV-14 (uncut) | UK:18 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (2002) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners II

Trivia:

Bette Midler claims that Danny DeVito called her twice after the premiere of this film: once to congratulate her, and a second time only twenty minutes after the first call, during which he and Midler both broke down in a nervous frenzy over how terrible the movie was, and how both of their careers were over. The film, however, went on to become a box-office smash.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Carol and Earl arrive to video store to watch video tape, Carol inserts it to video recorder and the police chief Benton's frolics appear on all TV screens in store. But the VCR's back is facing the camera and all the output jacks are empty - the VCR isn't connected to anything but the power outlet.

Quotes:

Barbara: So, if I look like his mother and you look like his father, this is what our son would look like. Pretty strong argument for birth control.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Toothless People (1987) (V)

Soundtrack:

Stand On It

one of my all-time favorites

This is one of my favorite movies. I laughed hysterically at every joke, every joke hit its target. But that's not what's so great about this movie. This movie has an all-star cast (Devito, Midler, Reinhold, Pullman) and they do a great job with the script. But that's not what's so great about this movie. The best thing about this movie is the intricately woven plot, which keeps your attention and comes to a hilarious finale. This is one of the funniest movies ever. See this and you won't regret it.