Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

This 1988 American comedy film, directed by Frank Oz, is a remake of the 1964 film "Bedtime Story". Set on the French Riviera, it follows two con men — the sophisticated British Lawrence Jamieson (Michael Caine) and the crass American Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) — as they compete in the art of deception. Lawrence poses as an exiled prince to swindle wealthy women, aided by his servant Arthur (Ian McDiarmid) and corrupt police inspector Andre (Anton Rodgers). Freddy, on the other hand, employs more rudimentary tactics, spinning sob stories to elicit sympathy. When both target the same victim — naive American heiress Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly) — they make a bet: whoever extracts $50,000 from her first gets to stay in town, while the loser must leave. However, Janet turns out to be more cunning than she appears, ultimately outsmarting both con men and revealing herself as the more adept swindler. The film blends elements of comedy, satire, and crime, exploring themes of deception, rivalry, and unexpected twists.