Synopsis
“Dirty Work” is an American comedy released in 1998, directed by Bob Saget. It features notable stars such as Norm Macdonald and Artie Lange. Although the movie received a lackluster response in theaters, and critiques were quite mixed, the film has managed to gain a cult following over the years. Not for Norm Macdonald’s lack of case, and the movie’s over-the-top commitment to its absurd humor and unabashed silliness, rather for the film’s shameless commitment to silliness has now brought the film in the spotlight.
It revolves around Mitch Weaver, a character played by Norm Macdonald, who is a chronic underachiever and has been dismissed from every single job he’s ever taken. Mitch and his childhood best friend, Sam McKenna, played by Artie Lange were taught by Sam’s father Pops, to not take crap from anyone. Pops, (Jack Warden), who is now an elderly man, makes them experts in the art of humorously elaborate revenge. The two friends work one dead-end job after the other, when suddenly Pops suffers a fatal heart attack, and the two friends find out the elderly man is on the verge of dying if he doesn’t perform an expensive heart surgery.
To make a desperate run for the cash, the two friends take it upon themselves to get back to all the people that have wronged them in a childishly creative way by founding a function-for-hire business called Dirty Work that allows clients to pay in exchange for settling scores on their behalf.
Mitch and Sam, along with their eccentric coworker Jimmy—played by Chris Farley in one of his final film appearances—start to pull wild stunts that run the gamut from sabotage to ridiculous pranks. Their business begins to flourish, but the happiness is short-lived when they run into Travis Cole, a sleazy real estate developer played by Christopher McDonald. Cole tricks them into assisting him with eviction by executing elaborate revenge plots on the building’s tenants.
As soon as Mitch comes to the realization they’ve been played, the team works together to bring Cole down. They partake in chaotic public humiliation, alter recordings, and culminate their plans with a side-splitting disaster of an opera performance. As is the case in all revenge comedies, the heroes gloriously defeat Cole, rescuing Pops and achieving a small business victory in the process.
The film concludes on a classically optimistic and comedic note with friends reaffirmed and well-deserved justice served.
Cast & Crew
Norm Macdonald as Mitch Weaver
Known for his sharp wit and dry humor, Macdonald brings his signature deadpan delivery to the role, carrying much of the film’s comedic tone.
Artie Lange as Sam McKenna
Lange complements Macdonald with his boisterous, loudmouthed character. Their chemistry, rooted in real-life friendship, stands at the core of the film’s charm.
Jack Warden as Pops McKenna
As the explosive father figure, Jack Warden gives vulgar one liners as Pops McKenna. He steals the show as the father figure, who is grumpy, vulgar, and explosive. Warden deeply embodies the character and even brings something fresh and unique to the show.
Christopher McDonald as Travis Cole
As one of the core villains, Travis Cole, McDonald continues to develop the infamous character Shooter McGavin. Often described as the textbook definition of a sleazy villain, he certainly embraces the title, delivering it with zeal.
Chevy Chase as Dr. Farthing
Chase, renowned for his comedic roles, appears as a doctor who is a slave to gambling, addicted to bookmaking. Pops’ doctor attempts to save his patient and is on the heels of numerous bookies, adding a humorous twist to the character.
Chris Farley as Jimmy
Farley’s role as a man turned wild and vengeful because of a woman who gnashed his nose off is a bizarre character. Even as one of his final performances, his unmatched comedic timing and unique energy is unforgettable.
Directed by: Bob Saget
Saget, mostly recognized for his role on Full House, surprised his audience by delving into the world of chaotic and crude comedies. He shocked his viewers with the style in which he directed the film.
Written by: Norm Macdonald, Frank Sebastiano, and Fred Wolf
Themes & Tone
- Revenge as Comedy
Dirty Work satirizes the concept of revenge. Instead of taking on some physical form of punishment, the film uses laughable stunts like stink bombs, public humiliation, and absurd pranks to deliver comedic justice. It completely takes revenge to the next level of cartoonish absurdity, making it feel harmless and funny.
- Underdog Story
Mitch and Sam are your average lovable losers. While they are directionless and seemingly lacking any prospects, they do have one thing – heart. The film builds on the age-old concept of undistinguished heroes overcoming the odds, in this case through creativity, camaraderie, and ridiculousness.
- Friendship and Loyalty
Boundless loyalty to their friends and family – MItch and Sam’s most apparent flaws become their greatest strength when considering their relationship to Pops. Their devotion to each other drives the film’s emotional anchor, along with the silliness of the film. Loyalty in the face of hardship, rarely mentioned, serves as the quiet spine of the story.
- Rebellion Against Authority
Dirty Work embodies anti-establishment humor, directly mocking, seemingly, everyone. From the unfaithful spouses and timid betas to the reclusive, corrupt landlords, and even bullies and other incompetent authority figures. The film relishes in upending the power balance and letting the underdog surge to the top.
Critical Reception
Dirty Work received negative reviews at first, mainly focused on its crass humor, disjointed plot, and uneven pacing. Alongside those criticisms, most did recognize moments of comic brilliance, especially for fans of Norm Macdonald’s dry and sarcastic humor. Although it did not perform well at the box office, making less than $11 million, its reputation has indeed improved over time.
Fans of these comedies from the 1990’s consider this one of the most underrated gems and it has received cult status because of its unique style, irreverent humor, and great performances. Norm Macdonald’s passing in 2021 refocused attention on his films, with many naming this one as a highlight for fans of his humor style.
Legacy and Cult Status
Dirty Work gained a reputation as a preferred selection for the nighttime showing of slapstick and absurdist comedies, as well as revenge fantasies. The joke plot focuses on two friends and a series of revenge scenarios, making it an easy watch. The comedy takes a light-hearted approach, humorously breaking the fourth wall alongside loving parodies of overused movie tropes.
Chris Farley and Chevy Chase cameo in this movie, and their small roles add a lot to emotional impact, especially for fans. For a lot of people, this movie marks a specific snapshot in time where for a short period of time, the stand-up comedians and SNL graduates were playing around with edgy scripts.
Despite Farley and Chase coming in for a few brief scenes, the movie isn’t a polished piece of art, and like many other cult classics, the film is loved more for its unapologetic weirdness and highly quotable dialogue, rather than for being polished.
Conclusion
While Dirty Work did not alter the world of comedy movies, it has remained relevant because of its unique humor, and, especially, the charm of the cast. It’s a film that doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is: a goofy, sometimes crass, heartfelt movie that makes the viewer want to cheer for the underdog and go on a goofy, often crass adventures.
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