ARTS The Michigan Daily Wednesday, January 11, 1989 Page 5 Down and Dirty Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is clean fun BY ALYSSA KATZ Consider the following situation: Dick: Jane, I really want to see a movie tonight. Jane: Yeah, me too. How about Rain Man ? Dick: Naah, too serious. The same goes for Mississippi Burning. Jane: Then what about The Acci- dental Tourist ? Dick: I dunno. The dog looked cute in the commercial, but the movie's based on a novel, isn't it? I don't want to have to do any think- ing. Hey, we can see Hellraiser II... Jane: No, that's too violent. I want something a little less heavy. But I can't think of anything. Dick: Yeah, I'm stumped too... (tense pause)... Well, you know, it's getting late, and I've got lots of work to do. I'll, uh, talk to you soon, OK? * Bye. It's too bad. If Dick and Jane had only remembered that Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was playing, they could have spent a nice evening together. Not a profound evening, or a stirring one, or even a revolting one, but one during which they would have laughed and forgotten about the 97 pages of Kant they had to read for the next day. In this remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story, Michael Caine and Steve Martin play Lawrence and Freddy, con men who prey on the gullible along the French Riviera. Lawrence, who is the embodiment of the word "suave," runs a high-class operation: he has refined taste in art and wine and refuses to practice his craft on anyone but rich people, usu- ally crass American women. Freddy, on the other hand, is a loudmouthed jerk who tells his victims that he is raising money to help his ailing grandmother. The two work together for a while, but begin to compete when they realize that the resort town they're working in can't support two con artists. So they agree on a bet: the one who first gets $50,000 from an American "soap queen" can stay in town. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is con- sistently funny, if unsophisticated at times. A comic highlight is the se- quence in which Freddy, having begged Lawrence to teach him the art of high-stakes swindling, is forced to play "Ruprecht," Lawrence's de- mented younger brother. Here, Mar- tin is at his manic best, jumping around wildly, banging on pots and pans, and acting like a nightmare vi- sion of a little brother. Caine gets a chance to shine in an earlier scene, when he tells his rich victim that he's a prince and needs her money to support the "freedom fighters" in his homeland. And Glenne Headly, play- ing Janet, the naive American "soap queen," manages to turn in a good performance despite being stuck in a constricting role. This film's major problem is one that plagues so many American comedies: when the screenwriters try to develop the plot in the second half of the film, the actors and director have to struggle to make the humor shine through all the contrivances. The three lead actors are stifled by this phenomenon: Caine affects a goofy German accent, Martin is con- fined to a wheelchair (hence the es- sential physical aspect of his comedic style is lost), and Headly, an accom- plished stage actor, is forced by the Steve Martin and Michael Caine may be having a toast, but in reality, they're two crumbs as they play con men who scam women out of money in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. screenplay to portray Janet as shal- low and uninteresting. That this film remains so hilarious despite the screenplay's flaws is a credit to the great talents of the actors and of the director, Frank Oz. So don't see this movie if you're looking for something that will make your spirit soar, challenge your fundamental beliefs, or add to your understanding of the human condi- tion. The recent crop of potential Oscar contenders is more than ade- quate for such purposes. But if an Academy Award were given for "Best Mindless Comedy," Dirty Rotten Scoundrels would at least be a nom- inee. Sam Kinison Have You Seen Me Lately? Warner Brothers Records If you haven't seen him lately, here's your Screamin' Sam Kini- son fix. For less than the price of a concert ticket, you get 45 minutes of primo Kinison, including his updated version of the hoary rock classic "Wild Thing," an edited form of which has been showing up on the radio. You won't hear any of his other stuff on the radio, though. Sam's so bad he gets two warning stick- ers on his album: the standard "Explicit language and material" one, and a new one, "Opinions ex- pressed in this recording do not re- fleet the views of Warner Brothers Records." Whew. He does get into some pretty down and dirty stuff. Start- ing with "The Story Of Jim" (Bakker, an overused comedy/satire topic, but deservedly so), and run- ning through "Jesus The Miracle Caterer," Sam works a line of jokes sure to offend anyone with- out a sense of humor about reli- gion. His background as a preacher (no lie!) gave him plenty of mate- rial to choose from, plus the added experience of working a crowd. The taboo against such harsh reli- gious jokes just makes it a more tempting target for Sam's derision. Other subjects he takes aim on in- clude necrophilia, anal sex, con- doms, and the rock against drugs farce. Comedy albums won't take the place of live comedy anytime soon. Just look at their sales. Louder Than Hell, Kinison's de- Dragons- Jan.12, 13, 14, 15 Musical by Sheldon Harnick based on a Russian political alle- gory. Eligibility-students in School of Music and theatre concentrators. Others need permission. Script on reserve available in Music library. Thurs., Jan. 12 - Vocal audi- tions at Mendelssohn Theatre. May begin as early as 4:30 p.m. Call for appointment time-763-5213. Bring. resume. Fri., Jan. 13 - Preliminary readings at Mendelssohn. Sat., Jan.14 - Dance auditions at Power Center rehearsal room.. - 2:30 p.m. - women. 2:30-4 p.m. - men. Further info: see Frieze bulletin board on second floor. Basement Arts Mass Meeting. Thurs., Jan. 12, 5 p.m. at Arena Theatre in Frieze Bldg. Basement Arts will present a five readings of plays being considered for production. Mon. - Fri., Jan 16- 20 at 5 p.m. Sign up on sheet on the 2nd floor of the Frieze Building.' Doctor Faustus. RC Drama/Players (With Brecht Co.) Still need one female to play a combination of three roles. Contact Director Martin Walsh, 426-5389. We Won't Pay A political farce"un., I EARN $5.00- Jan. 15 7-9 p.m. and Mon. Jan. 16 1-3 p.m. Be familiar with the American translation of the play. Scripts available in the University Productions office in the Michigan League. Playwriting classes Auditions Mon., Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at 2528 Frieze Building. Class times Mon. 1-4 p.m. and Tues. 3-6 p.m. If you have any information re- garding auditions or other oppor- tunities in theater, contact Cherie Curry at 763-0379. $6.50/HOU R PLUS BONUSES! HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE UNIVERSITY BY CALLING MICHIGAN ALUMNI Sam Kinison's latest LP is the PMRC's worst nightmare. but album, was one of the biggest comedy albums ever, selling over 200,000 copies. Def Leppard's lat- est, by contrast, has sold over 7 million copies. But comedy al- bums can help tide you over 'til the next time your favorite artist pops into town. If you're up for serious, in-your-face, over the edge comedy, Sam's your man and this is your album. - Chuck Skarsaune V =R CIE ADR C ~ I 4's WHAT'S HAPPENING RECREATIONAL SPORTS *LAST DAY TO SIGN BASKETBALL UP FOR INTRAMURAL 1 lam-4:30pm Intramural Sports Building Intramural Basketball Managers' Meeting Thurs., January 12 6pm Intramural Sports Building IM ICE HOCKEY ENTRIES ARE DUE 4:30pm Intramural Sports Building TODAY ! or stop by 611 Church, #304 Experience That Pays MICHIGAN TELEFUND PASS IT AROUND! Share the news, I D tf, L Have questions? Call 763-3562 Start the Semester off Laughin'! GI AURA CK Stand Up Comedy Presents the comedy of... JASON VINES with student funnyman... JASON ALLINGTON WITH YOUR HOST RICH EISEN 10:00pm MICHIGRAS '89 wom MASS MEETING JANUARY 11 6:00PM PENDLETON ROOM MICHIGAN UNION i