1998 was certainly a tumultuous period for comic Norm MacDonald. The Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” anchor’s first starring role movie arrived in the form of Dirty Work (1998). But this accomplished was overshadowed by the fact that he was fired from his position on the TV show only weeks before its release. Reportedly, the reason was that NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer didn’t think MacDonald was funny (although the constant barrage of jokes directed at Ohlmeyer’s friend O.J. Simpson probably had more to do with it).
Dirty Work didn’t make much of an impact at the box office. It didn’t get much publicity either – NBC refused to air ads and promos for the film during its release. Still, over time the film has developed a cult following. In fact, Olive Films have just released a Blu-ray of Dirty Work. It’s a bare bones release, featuring a trailer as the only bonus, but the flick’s many fans will still be pleased to own a copy of it in high definition.
As someone who has enjoyed MacDonald’s standup for many years, I have to be honest. This is not a great film. However, it does have a few crudely funny moments here and there. MacDonald plays Mitch Weaver, a who can’t seem to keep a job or a girlfriend. When he learns that the father of his best friend (Artie Lange) needs $50,000 for a heart operation, the two cook up an elaborate business scheme. They offer a revenge-for-hire service and immediately begin to think up creative and mischievous ways to help their clients out.
While it isn’t an official SNL comedy, it’s very similar to others of its ilk in its plotting and story structure. Thankfully, it attempts a few things that help it stand out a bit from the crowd. Like its star, the movie has a far more blunt and dry sense of humor. MacDonald has an amusingly direct delivery style and a devious smile that helps to sell some off-color material. While the gags don’t always work, the edgier approach does result in a handful of really funny off-handed comments.
Many of the revenge gags are pretty routine, but there is one hysterical gag. At one point, the leads decide to use fish as a silly prank on a wealthy homeowner. However, when the owners arrive unexpectedly, the all ends up being misinterpreted… resulting in violence and bloodshed. Their frozen expressions and long silence as they overhear all of this in another room is hysterical. Ultimately, the film is at its funniest when it travels on unexpected tangents.
There are a few great stunts as well. Weaver has a habit of making nasty comments and being beaten relentlessly for them. He is thrown through glass windows and out on the curb repeatedly. These physical moments look incredibly painful and often result in a smile. It may also be worth watching for the cameos and familiar faces who appear – they include Don Rickles, Adam Sandler, Chevy Chase, Rebecca Romijn, David Koechner, Gary Coleman, John Goodman and Chris Farley.
Still some of it feels a bit muted. The film was originally shot with an R-rating but was cut down to PG-13. One can even see unfortunately instances of dialogue that has been re-recorded. It mutes some of the humor and suggests there was a darker, funnier movie left on the cutting room floor.
Thankfully, MacDonald quickly bounced back. He starred in the underrated 1999-2001 sit-com Norm (a program I really wish someone would release on DVD), has made hundreds of appearances in TV shows, continues doing standup, and most recently provided the voice of Pigeon on Adult Swim’s The Mike Tyson Mysteries.
Dirty Work is an uneven affair and an acquired taste, but it’s also a great opportunity to see MacDonald doing his best to elevate a generic SNL-style comedy and earning a genuine laugh or two in the process. Those who enjoy the comedian will definitely want to check it out.