RUTHLESS PEOPLE

One of the best comedies from the ‘80s is undoubtedly, “RUTHLESS PEOPLE”.  This witty, dark, and alternately crude/sweet comedy from the Zucker/Abrams trio, has just been released on dvd.  Danny DeVito gives one of his best performances as a character not too indifferent from his “Louie DePalma” role on “Taxi”, just cruder!

He can’t stand his wife, Bette Midler, so when he comes home from work to find she’s been kidnapped, he’s delighted.  The kidnappers threaten to kill her if he tells anyone, so he immediately makes it a number one news item!  Soon enough, Midler’s obnoxiousness makes this tale feel similar to Twain’s “Ransom of Red Chief”!  Her kidnappers realize soon enough, they’ve got more than they ever bargained for, and no one wants her back!!!   There are loads of good laughs throughout the film, and the cast is terrific.  Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater as the kidnappers, have never been as good or likeable, as they are here.

 BUENA VISTA has retained the film’s 1.85:1 aspect ratio with 16:9 enhanancement. 

Unfortunately, the image is disappointing.  It varies in quality from one scene to the next.  One minute, there’s good depth, the next the image is extremely soft!  It never appears very sharp for long!  Colors are generally fine, but they’re never vibrant.  Fleshtones appear natural throughout.

The Dolby Digital 2.0 surround mix is more aggressive than we’d expected! Surrounds are restrained, but the front soundstage is fairly active with directional effects, and the musical score is boosted throughout all speakers.