Ruthless People 1986

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: Ruthless People contains some of the biggest laughs of 1986. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Los Angeles Times: The characters here aren't just bad; most of them are truly vile -- human slime. And the film makers chew them up (especially two nefarious bonbons played by Danny DeVito and Bette Midler) with the toothsome glee of jolly cannibals. Read more

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel: Much of the fun of this comedy is in watching what happens as virtually everyone in the movie tries to double-cross or otherwise take advantage of everyone else. Read more

Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer: An undemanding but well-executed entertainment. Read more

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... Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: It's a rare kind of craftsmanship, and it produces a rare kind of pleasure. Read more

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. Read more

Chris Peachment, 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. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Ruthless People is a hilariously venal comedy about a kidnapped harridan whose rich husband won't pay for her return. Read more