Synopsis
Bob Saget directed an American comedy film titled Dirty Work in 1998, starring comedian Norm Macdonald as the lead character. It is a cult favorite that continues to gain popularity because of the unique blend of Macdonald’s absurd humor, unusual storylines, and his signature deadpan wit.
The story focuses on Mitch Weaver portrayed by Norm Macdonald, a sarcastic and underachieving adult perpetually unable to secure a job or make anything of himself. Following the loss of yet another job, Mitch reaches out to his best friend Sam McKenna, played by Artie Lange. Sam is fiercely loyal, dimwitted, and just as directionless as Mitch. Sam’s father, Pops McKenna, played by Jack Warden, gets suddenly admitted to the hospital. He urgently needs a heart transplant, and that’s where the hitch is. The surgery costs $50,000, a staggering amount neither Mitch nor Sam can afford.
The two friends desperate to raise the money have a wonderful idea to start a business that focuses on one of the strongest human emotions; revenge—a concept they have perfected since childhood. The business, dubbed “Dirty Work,” specializes in payback on a business-to-business basis; from petty pranks to extensive public embarrassments for a fee. Their motto keeps things rather straightforward: If someone has wronged you, Mitch and Sam will ensure that they pay.
The film contains a couple of revenge gigs, each more outrageous than the previous. Highlights include a plethora of pranks that include the infamous dead fish in cars stunt, the offensive scene in the opera, and frat house public embarrassment. Norm’s dry delivery of sacrifice slapstick humor is an utterly refreshing form of comic relief.
Things get out of hand when Travis Cole, played by Christopher McDonald the go-to 1990s villain, hires Mitch and Sam. Cole, the real estate thug, hijacks their vengeance business motto under the guise of supporting the cause by offering 50,000 dollars to get tenants out of an apartment he plans to demolish. Sam and Mitch, under the impression that the tenants of the apartment complex are hostile squatters and a danger, execute prank after aggressive prank, only to uncover the truth about the landlord’s crooked plot (which is to use fools to pay for getting innocent people evicted from their own homes).
Sam and Mitch, feeling betrayed and guilty, plan their revenge against Cole. The climax centers around a chaotic sequence where they rig a movie theater to play a secret tape Cole’s dirty deals. The scheme is over the top in a sill in the way that is classic 1990’s physical comedy. Cole is exposed, justice is served, and pops gets his humorous surgery.
In the movie, Mitch is also shown trying to win over Kathy, a social worker at the retirement home where Pops lives. This part of the story gives a different feel to the movie, but combines together to develop Mitch’s character and a way for him to redeem himself.
Cast & Crew:
Norm Macdonald as Mitch Weaver
Naturm Macdonald as Mitch Weaver. Norm’s movie is a perfection and completely him: rebellious, apathetic, and dry. As Mitch Weaver Norm carries the movie and that’s thanks to his treatment of the character. In contrast to a prototypical movie lead, Norm’s unique charm is what gives the movie it’s flavor.
Artie Lange as Sam McKenna
Lange portrays the lovable sidekick to Norm’s cynical lead character. His energy allows him to dive into absurd situations while Norm’s energy is more reserved. They were great together and their real-life friendship and shared work on The Howard Stern Show had a big impact on their on-screen connection.
Jack Warden as Pops McKenna
Warden, a veteran actor, plays the rough yet lovable father figure. As the character Pops, he has some of the most outrageous and humorous lines in the movie that include colorful, no-nonsense quips.
Christopher McDonald as Travis Cole
McDonald is known for playing the antagonist in many comedies like Happy Gilmore and Thelma & Louise. He plays a slick, dishonest real estate tycoon and, as usual, he does not disappoint. His take on the character of a corporate villain is always over the top in a good way and adds tension and a familiar face to the group.
Traylor Howard as Kathy
Even with reduced screen time, Howard’s presence balances the mostly chaos driven by the male cast. Her character is fundamental in helping the audience see Mitch’s character arc emotionally.
Cameos
In Dirty Work, there are several funny cameo appearances. These include Chevy Chase as a crooked doctor with gambling problems, Don Rickles as a verbally abusive theater manager, Chris Farley as a man obsessed with hunting his ex-girlfriend, and Adam Sandler as Satan in a brief but unforgettable role.
Director
Bob Saget
Although most people know and remember Bob Saget as the warm and gentle family man, Danny Tanner from Full House, his surprising film and stand-up work show a man unafraid to use rude and crude humor. His films and direction are generally characterized by a lack of excessive sentimentality.
Writers Frank Sebastiano and Norm Macdonald (story by Macdonald and Fred Wolf)
Macdonald, who claims his heroes are the great dead humorists and Fred Wolf, who keeps on telling everyone, wrote Dirty Work as a satirical blend of traditional slapstick and absurd humor. Each of them keeps the story moving and the characters reacting in ways that does not follow accepted formula.
“IMDb Ratings & Critical Reception”
Dirty Work has a mediocre score of 6.4/10 on IMDb. The film bombed at the box office and was received poorly by critics at the time of release. Most felt Dirty Work was poorly structured or rough around the edges. Over time, however, the film has gained a cult following, especially among fans of Norm Macdonald’s unique brand of humor.
Macdonald’s fans accepted the film due to what they considered a flawless display of the comedian’s signature dry humor and severed rhythmic wit, often citing it as a hidden treasure of the late 1990s comedy film boom. Critics, however, felt the absurd and niche nature of the film’s humor was off putting for the majority. Regardless, many critics gave the film credit for unabashed silliness and authentically funny moments.
In the years following the death of Norm Macdonald in 2021, the film’s reputation has soared. Dirty Work has been brought up as a centerpiece and a prime showcase of what Macdonald’s talent was, where fans can see his genius in full display away from the polished nature of Hollywood.
Conclusion:
Dirty Work is unconventional in the Hollywood sense, and that’s part of what makes it so captivating. The film is an absolute treasure of awkward, quotable delivery and deadpan brilliance for those who appreciate Norm Macdonald. The film’s late 90s charm stems from the enjoyment of watching misfits succeed in their own ridiculous ways, inexplicable chemistry between the cast in bizarre revenge setups, and the absurd joy of their bizarre victories.
Dirty Work has grown to become a cult classic, a movie that reviewers may not have praised, but comedy lovers from a specific generation appreciated while far from the critics. The film showcases a dry, strange and wholly unique style of comedy that Norm Macdonald exemplifies.
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