Dirty Work 1998

In a quaint Midwest town, Mitch Weaver and his best friend Sam McKenna navigate life as social outcasts, standing firm against any injustices thanks to the lessons from Sam’s father, Pops McKenna. In their youth, they take a stand by getting a school bully arrested for gun possession (that they planted) and catching a crossing guard engaged in inappropriate behavior. Tragedy strikes when Mitch loses his single mother and moves in with Sam and Pops. Their antics continue as teenagers when they seek revenge on a petty meter maid and deal with a neighborhood dog by adopting a mischievous German Shepherd.

Fast forward to their adult years, where Mitch (played by Norm Macdonald) and Sam (portrayed by Artie Lange) are still defying conventions. After losing multiple jobs and facing heartbreak, they find themselves living together once more. Their resilience shines when they’re humiliated by a gang of college frat boys, prompting them to retaliate cleverly by involving the police.

Life takes a critical turn when Pops suffers a heart attack, and the addicted Dr. Farthing (played by Chevy Chase) informs them that a bribe of $50,000 is necessary to put Pops on the transplant list. With determination, Mitch and Sam embark on a series of odd jobs, including a disastrous stint at a movie theater under the harsh management of Mr. Hamilton. Cleverly, they project a risqué, humorous film that earns them admiration from their peers and inspires them to start their own business—“Dirty Work,” a revenge-for-hire operation.

As they thrive in their unconventional career, they unwittingly cross paths with the scheming property developer Travis Cole, who deceives them into demolishing property he doesn’t own, claiming it will help fund Pops’ surgery. Fuelled by anger and a desire for retribution, Mitch and Sam orchestrate an elaborate scheme, using anything from hallucinogenic brownies to a variety of unconventional allies to humiliate Cole during a high-profile opera.

“This is a trap!” Mitch reveals as chaos unfolds, ultimately leading to Cole’s public disgrace. In a twist of fate, Cole is compelled to repay the bribe and Mitch wins the affection of his girlfriend Kathy (Traylor Howard). As Pops receives his much-needed transplant, the story concludes with Mitch and Sam relishing their triumphs, despite the unexpected fate of Dr. Farthing, whose gambling victors take a grim turn.