Ruthless People (1986)

My Review

“Ruthless People” is a dark comedy movie about a couple who kidnap their former boss’ wife for revenge and extortion. They soon discover he does not want her and was planning to kill her anyway. The hilarity proceeds from there, from a well written screenplay by Dale Launer and tightly directed by the team of Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker (“Top Secret” 1984).

Actors with excellent comedic skills and talent thrive in this picture, such as Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold, Helen Slater, Bette Midler, Anita Morris, William G. Schilling, Art Evans, Clarence Felder, J. E. Freeman, Gary Riley, Phyliss Applegate, and Bill Pullman in his feature film debut. The mirth and merriment never seems to stop in the watchable “Ruthless People,” the ninth highest grossing film of 1986 for Touchstone Films, Silver Screen Partners II, Buena Vista Distribution, and The Walt Disney Company. It was filmed throughout Southern California.