Ruthless People (1986)
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92% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(20,473 ratings)
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… More 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 the Kesslers and together they figure out how to exact revenge upon the obnoxious Sam. Bill Pullman makes his film debut here as a very dim, would-be criminal. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jim Abrahams, David Zucker
- Written By
- O. Henry, Dale Launer
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Jun 27, 1986 Wide
- Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Ruthless People is a hilariously venal comedy about a kidnapped harridan whose rich husband won't pay for her return.
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, Time Out
A pity that the directors prove less ruthless than their own creations, but there is more than enough here for people who enjoy murder attempts on cute pet poodles.
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Thomas O'Connor, New York Times
Though ''Ruthless People'' has few moments to equal the inspired lunacies of ''Airplane!'' it's a true farce -- uniformly, cheerily nasty...
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
DeVito is the mainspring of "Ruthless People," the engine of murderous intensity right at the center. His passion is so palpable that it adds weight to all the other performances in the movie.
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
DeVito at his best.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Danny DeVito
as Sam Stone
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Bette Midler
as Barbara Stone
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Judge Reinhold
as Ken Kessler
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Helen Slater
as Sandy Kessler
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Anita Morris
as Carol
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Bill Pullman
as Earl Mott
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William G. Schilling
as Police Commissioner
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Art Evans
as Lt. Bender
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Clarence Felder
as Lt. Walters
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J.E. Freeman
as Bedroom Killer
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Phyllis Applegate
as Loan Officer
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Jeannine Bisignano
as Hooker in Car
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Arturo Bonilla
as Waiter
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J.P. Bumstead
as Technician
- Jonathan Coleman
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Jon Cutler
as Stereo Store Customer
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Christopher Keene
as Cop at Jail
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Gary Riley
as Heavy Metal Kid
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Janet Rotblatt
as Secretary to Chief of Police
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Bob Tzudiker
as Sam's Attorney
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Charlotte Zucker
as Judge
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Jim Doughan
as Cop at Sam's House
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Susan Marie Snyder
as Stereo Store Customer
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Louise Yaffe
as Social Worker
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Arnold Turner
as Cop with Killer Picture
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Twyla Littleton
as Model
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Frank Sivero
as The Mugger
