Outrageous Fortune (1987)

50% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(7,306 ratings)

Two women with serious differences are forced to look out for each other in this anarchic comedy. Sandy (Bette Midler) and Lauren (Shelley Long) are a pair of struggling actresses who don't get along especially well -- and are even less fond of each other when they discover that they're both dating… More Two women with serious differences are forced to look out for each other in this anarchic comedy. Sandy (Bette Midler) and Lauren (Shelley Long) are a pair of struggling actresses who don't get along especially well -- and are even less fond of each other when they discover that they're both dating the same man, Michael (Peter Coyote). However, when Michael suddenly goes missing, they discover that he's actually an espionage agent working with a foreign government, and as they set out to find him, they learn that he has implicated them in his schemes. Now Sandy and Lauren are stuck with each other as they look for Michael while trying to outrun the law. Outrageous Fortune also stars George Carlin as Frank, a burned-out '60s holdover who the women meet along the way. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 30, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Oct 30, 2001

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Midler and Long are never less than fun to watch.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Every bit as rude and wonderful as Ruthless People...
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader
There's more regressive coyness in this buddy adventure-comedy than anyone should have to sit through in a lifetime...
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post
Such rarefied screen writing calls for the peerless talents of Arthur Hiller, a director with the comic timing of a tax auditor.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Unfortunately, the movie is so busy cross-polinating its genres that it never pauses for the kind of thought that might have made it really special, instead of just fitfully funny.
, Empire Magazine
Engaging, undemanding stuff.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The plot here has been played out hundreds of times (and often better) in other films.
, Time Out
As a vehicle for their considerable comic talents, the enterprise is wheelclamped by typecasting.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A female buddy-buddy movie which grows more and more tiresome as it unspools
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Pretty funny star comedy with a couple hysterical bits.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
I'm STILL trying to figure out why this film was a hit.
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Great comedic pairing. Good fun.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
I shudder to think that a Shelley Long-Bette Midler pairing could have been considered a sure thing by anyone, at any time.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Extremely funny! Middler and Long are a great duo in this movie, and I just loved the story, it's fantastic. I love this movie, and I highly recommend it.
Dean !

A fairly good comedy has a few laughs.
Tim S

Hadn't seen this since I was a kid, barely remembered it. Pretty funny, if unlikely movie. In the 80s, you really to suspend your disbelief in order to watch something like this. lol
Candy R

Bette and Shelley fall for the same guy, who has been dating them both. Good cast.
xGary X

One of those really dumb 80s comedies where they obviously cast Long and Midler first, and then worried about the script afterward. Some of the bickering is mildly amusing, but there are much better uses of your time.
Dean M

Prissy Shelley Long and foul-mouthed Bette Midler discover they have some things in common: they don't like each other, they both shared the same foreign-spy lover and they're both funny.
Leo L

Funny!
monty h

Bette Midler's funniest movie. She and Shelley Long are two actresses who somehow get involved in spies and goverment conspiracies. It's an unbelivable situation but funny as hell. Bette and Shelley make a great team and I was suprised they didn't make anymore films… More
Bette Midler's funniest movie. She and Shelley Long are two actresses who somehow get involved in spies and goverment conspiracies. It's an unbelivable situation but funny as hell. Bette and Shelley make a great team and I was suprised they didn't make anymore films together. A really good comedy that lets the Divine Miss M do her thing. Lauren: "Because everything that comes out of your mouth is pornographic." Sandy: "That is a fucking lie."

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Shelley Long as Lauren Ames

            Bette Midler as Sandy Brozinsky

            Peter Coyote as Michael

            Robert Prosky as Stanislov Korzenowski

            John Schuck as Atkins

            George Carlin as Frank

            Anthony Heald as Weldon

            Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Cab Driver

            Diana Bellamy as Madam

            Sally Brown as Actress

            Alexis Cruz
            
            John De Santi as Police Lieutenant

            Debra A. Deliso as Ballet Double for Lauren

            Sandra Eng as Newswoman

            Tony Epper as Russell

            Neil Hunt as Fencing Teacher

            Tom Lillard as Vasily

            Bill Marcus as Dispatcher

            Christopher McDonald as George (as Chris McDonald)

            James McIntire as Bartender

            Joan McMurtrey as Fencer #2

            Gary Morgan as Panansky

            Bob O'Connell as Gate Attendant

            Robert Pastorelli as Dealer

            Johnny Sanchez as Puerto Rican Kid

            Ebbe Roe Smith as Russian

            J.W. Smith as Dealer

            Lynn Stalmaster
            
            Florence Stanley as Ticket Agent

            Bunny Summers as Costume Lady

            Carol Ann Susi as Receptionist

            Anna Marie Wieder as Ruby Hooker

            Jerry Zaks as Tobacco Clerk

            Mali Finn
            
            Bill Hart as Boyd

            Mike Henry (I) as Russian

            Donald Ambabo as Helicopter Pilot

            R.G. Clayton as Coroner

            Barbara DeKins as Airport Woman

            Roger Engstrom as Airport Husband

            James Espinoza as Pick-Up Truck Rider

            Barney Garcia as Pick-Up Truck Rider

            Coral Kassel as Meter Maid

            Greg Mace as Policeman

            Tammy Manville as Ballet Dancer For Lauren

            J. Clell Miller as Oil Rig Driver

            Lonna Montrose as Airport Patron

            Steve Rotblatt as Eddie

            Pat Santino as Security Guard

            Ade Small as Ballet Teacher

            Eyan Williams as Black Girl Dancer

            Philip L. Mead as Airport Security Guard

            Thom Dillon as Security Officer Brown

            Paul Brooks as Airport Attendant
See full cast

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