Released in 1998, Dirty Work never became a huge box office hit, but over the years it has built a strong cult following. That is not surprising. This is exactly the kind of movie that gets better the more you watch it. It is silly, low budget, and completely ridiculous, but that is part of what makes it so great.
The film was directed by Bob Saget, which still surprises some people. Most people knew Saget as the clean cut dad from Full House, but behind the scenes he had a much darker and edgier sense of humor. Dirty Work gave him a chance to lean into that side, and the result is a comedy that feels much more twisted and offbeat than many mainstream comedies of the time.
Norm Macdonald stars as Mitch Weaver, and honestly the movie belongs to him from the very first scene. Norm had one of the most unique styles in comedy. He never tried too hard. He delivered every line with that dry, deadpan tone that somehow made everything even funnier. Mitch is a guy who can never seem to catch a break, but Norm makes him impossible not to root for.
Artie Lange co stars as Sam McKenna, Mitch’s best friend. The chemistry between Norm and Artie is one of the strongest parts of the movie. They feel like real friends, and their back and forth conversations make even the simplest scenes funny.
The plot is wonderfully ridiculous. Mitch and Sam need money to save Sam’s father, played by Jack Warden, so they start a business called Dirty Work. Their company takes revenge on people for paying customers. If someone has a terrible boss, a cheating boyfriend, or an annoying neighbor, Mitch and Sam will handle it.
That setup gives the movie an excuse to bounce from one crazy situation to another. Nearly every revenge job turns into a disaster, and that is exactly why it works. The film never takes itself seriously for a second.
The supporting cast is full of memorable faces. Jack Warden is terrific as Sam’s father, and Christopher McDonald is perfectly slimy as the rich villain Travis Cole. Chris Farley also shows up in a hilarious small role that steals every scene he is in.
Of course, Dirty Work would not work without Norm’s sense of humor. The movie is packed with his style of jokes. Random insults, awkward pauses, bizarre comments, and completely unexpected punchlines. It feels less like a polished Hollywood comedy and more like hanging out with Norm while he tells stories and makes fun of everything around him.
The low budget actually helps the film in a strange way. There is a rough, scrappy feeling to Dirty Work that fits the characters perfectly. Mitch and Sam are barely holding things together, and the movie itself has that same chaotic energy.
Bob Saget keeps the pace moving quickly, which is important because the movie is built around one joke and one ridiculous scene after another. Even when a joke does not fully land, another one is already on the way.
Dirty Work also has that very specific late nineties comedy vibe. It came out during a period when studios were still willing to make strange, goofy comedies that did not need giant budgets or complicated plots. It feels like a movie made by people who just wanted to make each other laugh.
Norm Macdonald was never a typical movie star, and that is exactly why he is so great here. He does not play Mitch like some lovable Hollywood hero. He plays him like an awkward guy who keeps saying the wrong thing but somehow still wins you over.
Dirty Work may not be considered a classic by everyone, but for Norm fans it absolutely is. If Norm Macdonald is your favorite comedian, it is impossible not to love this movie because it captures everything that made him special.
In the end, Dirty Work is a funny, weird, low budget comedy that never pretends to be anything more than what it is. And with Norm Macdonald leading the way, that is more than enough to make it an amazing movie.