review for Dirty Work on AllMovie

The funny central idea of this Norm MacDonald star vehicle doesn't get enough play to make the film into a really successful comedy. The concept of two frequently put-upon losers launching a revenge-for-hire business is ripe with rib-tickling possibilities. After a few tantalizing scenes depicting the delightfully dark results, however, plot mechanics overwhelm the writers and director Bob Saget, the story quickly reduced to getting characters from point A to point B. The slyly understated, subversive comedic style of star MacDonald is not for everyone, but fans will appreciate his work here. Supporting players are a scattershot affair. Co-star Artie Lange does his spastic best to fill the "John Belushi-heir-apparent" shoes soon to be left vacant by the death of Chris Farley (who has a cameo), while Chevy Chase manages to wring a few laughs from his small role. However, Jack Warden makes one of several inexplicable supporting appearances in a late-'90s bonehead comedy. A very mixed bag, Dirty Work (1998) is strictly for those who believe every single skit on TV's Saturday Night Live to be a laugh-riot.