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Ruthless People (1986)

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Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 21
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 2

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Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.1/5
User Ratings: 19,947

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Movie Info

The last film to be co-directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, Ruthless People stars Bette Midler (capitalizing on her comeback performance in Down and Out in Beverly Hills) as Barbara, a spoiled rich woman who is kidnapped by the kindly Ken and Sandy Kessler (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater). Barbara's forceful husband Sam (Danny DeVito) has ripped off the Kesslers and they decide to hold Barbara for ransom. Sam, who hates his wife, refuses to pay. Eventually Barbara befriends

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Jim Abrahams , David Zucker

Written By: O. Henry, Dale Launer

In Theaters: Jun 27, 1986 Wide

On DVD: Apr 2, 2002

Buena Vista Pictures

Cast

Danny DeVito
Sam Stone
Bette Midler
Barbara Stone
Judge Reinhold
Ken Kessler
Helen Slater
Sandy Kessler
Anita Morris
Carol
Bill Pullman
Earl Mott
William G. Schilling
Police Commissioner
Art Evans
Lt. Bender
Clarence Felder
Lt. Walters
J.E. Freeman
Bedroom Killer
Phyllis Applegate
Loan Officer
Jeannine Bisignano
Hooker in Car
Arturo Bonilla
Waiter
J.P. Bumstead
Technician
Jonathan Coleman
Jon Cutler
Stereo Store Customer
Christopher Keene
Cop at Jail
Gary Riley
Heavy Metal Kid
Janet Rotblatt
Secretary to Chief of P...
Bob Tzudiker
Sam's Attorney
Charlotte Zucker
Judge
Jim Doughan
Cop at Sam's House
Susan Marie Snyder
Stereo Store Customer
Louise Yaffe
Social Worker
Arnold Turner
Cop with Killer Picture
Twyla Littleton
Model
Frank Sivero
The Mugger

Critic Reviews for Ruthless People

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (2) | DVD (7)

DeVito at his best.

December 4, 2006 Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

One of the best comedy capers of the 80's

March 11, 2006 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

Funny and fearless

September 9, 2004 Comment

Luke Y. Thompson

New Times

Funny, nasty 80s update of "The Ransom of Red Chief." The Ref found similar dark laughs a decade later.

May 22, 2004 Comment

Rob Vaux

Flipside Movie Emporium

A wonderful cynical comedy filled with mean-spirited, but humorous, zest. Loads of fun!

October 9, 2003 Comment

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

...a large number of Ruthless People's jokes work and work well.

November 9, 2002 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comment

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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Audience Reviews for Ruthless People

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While not as entirely crazy and hilarious as their Naked Gun films, this comedy by the Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker team still shows some trademarks of the same kind of humor: wonderfully ditsy main characters, fights with kitchen utensils and plenty of mix-ups. While Frank Drebin's adventures are more like a 90 minute

September 23, 2007

Jens S.

Super Reviewer

This is THE ultimate film of misunderstandings. Every plan in this film goes wrong, and in an absolutely spectacular fashion. The plot for this one is dark and hilarious, making Danny DeVito one of the most loathsome (but funny) characters in film history. What makes this so surprising is that it's a Touchstone film,

January 22, 2012

Jacob Ethington

Super Reviewer

Ruthless People Quotes

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1. Lt. Bender: That might be the stupidest man on the face of the planet.
2. Lt. Walters: Maybe we should shoot him.
– Submitted by Conner F (5 months ago)