Ishtar (1987)
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19% of critics liked it
(26 reviews) -
33% of users liked it
(4,816 ratings)
Considered one of the great box-office turkeys of its decade, Ishtar was an attempt by writer/director Elaine May and stars Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty to do a modern-day road picture in the style of the much-loved Bob Hope and Bing Crosby comedy classics. Beatty is Lyle Rogers, a dimwitted… More Considered one of the great box-office turkeys of its decade, Ishtar was an attempt by writer/director Elaine May and stars Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty to do a modern-day road picture in the style of the much-loved Bob Hope and Bing Crosby comedy classics. Beatty is Lyle Rogers, a dimwitted songwriter who befriends and partners with Chuck Clarke (Hoffman), who is only slightly more intelligent but every bit as untalented. Together the duo dreams of becoming a big-time lounge act, but their songs, with titles like "That a Lawnmower Can Do All That," are unintentionally hilarious. Chuck becomes suicidal, but just when it seems they'll never strike it rich, the boys are offered a shady gig at a North African hotel, entertaining U.S. troops stationed in the tiny nation of Ishtar. On their way to accept the job, Lyle, Chuck, and their blind camel are sidetracked by a mysterious woman (Isabelle Adjani) and a scheming CIA agent (Charles Grodin), who are involved in a rebellion against the country's emir. The memorable songs crafted by Chuck and Lyle were written by actor and composer Paul Williams. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Elaine May
- Genres
- Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- May 15, 1987 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A victim of its own hyped publicity and too harsh criticism, Ishtar is not the worst movie ever made or even a bomb, just a dim-witted silly comedy-thriller (with some good jokes) based on the casting against type of Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman.
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Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
The intentionally bad songs and the early scenes in New York City are amusing, but the movie totally falls apart once Beatty and Hoffman arrive in the fictional country of Ishtar.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A failed attempt at doing a modern Bob Hope-Bing Crosby "Road" picture.
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Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Better then you've heard. Paul William's songs are genius.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's pretty bad, but not as bad as its legend.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Warren Beatty
as Lyle Rogers
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Dustin Hoffman
as Chuck Clarke
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Isabelle Adjani
as Shirra Assel
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Charles Grodin
as Jim Harrison
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Jack Weston
as Marty Freed Talent Agent
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Tess Harper
as Willa
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Carol Kane
as Carol
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Aharon Ipalé
as Emir Yousef
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Rose Arrick
as Mrs. Clarke
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Bill Bailey
as Gen. Westlake
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Ron Berglas
as CIA Agent
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Haluk Bilginer
as Guerilla Leader
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Arthur Brauss
as German Gunrunner
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Warren Clarke
as English Gunrunner
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Matt Frewer
as CIA Agent
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Julie Garfield
as Dorothy
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Bob Girolami
as Bartender
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Bruce Gordon
as Screamin' Honker
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Stefan Gryff
as KGB Agent
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Fijad Hageb
as Abdul
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Adam Hussein
as Mohamed The Camel Seller
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Alex Hyde-White
as CIA Agent
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Alexei Jawdokimov
as KGB Agent
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Kamarr
as Maitre 'd at Chez Casablanca
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Abe Kroll
as Mr. Thomopoulos
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David Margulies
as Mr. Clarke
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Fred Melamed
as Caid of Assari
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Bill Moor
as U.S. Consul
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Christine Rose
as Siri Darma
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Nadim Sawalha
as Rag Shop Owner
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Herb Gardner
as Rabbi Pierce
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Stuart M. Abramson
as Screamin' Honkers
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J.C. Cutler
as Omar
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Aziz Ben Driss
as Waiter at Chez Casablanca
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John Freudenheim
as Screamin Honker
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Ian Gray
as Manager of Chez Casablanca
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Sumar Khan
as IshtariGunrunner
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Bouhaddane Larbi
as Taxi Driver
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George Masri
as Mohamed The Camel Seller
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Jon Paul Morgan
as Djellabah Seller
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Eddy Nedari
as Mohamed The Camel Seller
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Mark Ryan
as Screamin' Honker
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Phillip Schopper
as Waiter
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Edgar Smith
as Professor Barnes
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Maati Zaari
as Porter
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Neil Zevnik
as CIA Agent
- Howard Feuer
- Cristine Rose
