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Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Isabelle Adjani, Charles Grodin, Jack Weston ... see more see more... , Tess Harper , Carol Kane , Aharon Ipalé , Rose Arrick , Bill Bailey , Ron Berglas , Haluk Bilginer , Arthur Brauss , Warren Clarke , Matt Frewer , Julie Garfield , Bob Girolami , Bruce Gordon , Stefan Gryff , Fijad Hageb , Adam Hussein , Alex Hyde-White , Alexei Jawdokimov , Kamarr , Abe Kroll , David Margulies , Fred Melamed , Bill Moor , Christine Rose , Nadim Sawalha , Herb Gardner , Stuart M. Abramson , J.C. Cutler , Aziz Ben Driss , John Freudenheim , Ian Gray , Sumar Khan , Bouhaddane Larbi , George Masri , Jon Paul Morgan , Eddy Nedari , Mark Ryan , Phillip Schopper , Edgar Smith , Maati Zaari , Neil Zevnik , Howard Feuer , Cristine Rose

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 styl... read more read more...e 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

Flixster Users

34% liked it

4,721 ratings

Critics

19% liked it

26 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Elaine May

Release Date: May 15, 1987

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Stats: 326 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (326)

  • dreamfaeries
    August 9, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Funny... I would watch it again.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    February 6, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Not as bad as it's reputation; It's just NOT funny.
  • nuheart
    January 6, 2007
    nuheart
    It's nowhere NEAR as bad as they say -- how could it be?
  • hypathio7
    February 9, 2007
    hypathio7
    Recognized as one of the worst movies of all time. And it is!! But hilarious (in a head-scratching way) because of how bad it is.
  • jam233
    July 15, 2010
    jam233
    There is so much talent involved in this movie, what happened? The cast and crew have a combined lifetime 61 Oscar nominations and 16 wins. How could this not be a better movie? It is well produced, the cinematography and costumes are fine and well done. The main flaws are the po... read moreorly written screenplay, the paper thin plot and the lack of spark from the main stars. It's not without some funny moments, but they are too scarce. The humor wears thin in less than an hour and it becomes a challenge to stay interested in the plot. The lovely Isabelle Adjani is wasted. Charles Grodin does score in supporting role and outshines the rest of the cast.
  • terris85017
    April 28, 2010
    terris85017
    (1987 Director: Elaine May) Funny tale of two semi-talented young men who succumb to travel to the Middle East in order to reach for fame (after failing miserably in U.S.) Co-stars severa; of my favorites, including Carol Kane, Charles Grodin,
  • Smile1975
    January 31, 2009
    Smile1975
    Absolutely the best movie! If you can't laugh at this movie, you need to learn how to laugh! AMAZING!
  • firstamb
    July 10, 2008
    firstamb
    The single worst desert comedy ever made, Ishtar tells the story of a roving band of once good comedians cracking sad jokes in a desert, only it is truly awful. Perhaps it's the Heaven's Gate of desert movies.
  • jrmcm
    May 6, 2008
    jrmcm
    Beatty singing the intro to "Little Darlin'" is undoubtedly one of the greatest moments ever committed to film. All the musical numbers are funny, and it's clear Hoffman and Beatty are having fun throughout.
  • kohelet3
    January 20, 2008
    kohelet3
    This movie is classic. Paul Williams' lyrics for the songs that they write are so bad, they're good. Those who thought this was the worst movie, so obviously didn't get it.
    "Most guys would be ashamed! But not you... you'd rather have nothing, then settle for anything less."

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
April 19, 2009
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... Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
February 16, 2006
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.

Dennis Schwartz
February 9, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A failed attempt at doing a modern Bob Hope-Bing Crosby "Road" picture. Full Review

Michael A. Smith
January 8, 2005
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review

Better then you've heard. Paul William's songs are genius.

Ken Hanke
September 3, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It's pretty bad, but not as bad as its legend.

Kevin A. Ranson
April 24, 2003
Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com

The real joke is that everyone involved is still in the movie business.

Kevin Fiddler
February 19, 2003
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)

The model for awful comedies

Gerry Shamray
January 31, 2003
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

Yes, it really does live up to the hype of its badness.

David Poland
August 14, 2002
David Poland, Hot Button

better than it's given credit for

Bob Grimm
July 26, 2002
Bob Grimm, Las Vegas Mercury

Now come one, this movie was not bad.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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    • Lyle Rogers: It takes a lot of courage to have nothing at your age.
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Ishtar Trivia

  • What 1987 flop starred Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman as two lounge singers?  Answer »
  • What movie is this? Two terrible lounge singers somehow become pawns in an international power play between the CIA, the Emir, and the rebels trying to overthrow his regime.  Answer »
  • Heaven Can Wait Dick Tracy Bugsy Bulworth Ishtar What Actor/Actress has been in all these movies??   Answer »
  • Elaine May achieved fame as a comedian, writer, and actress, but she is destined to go down in the movie hall of fame as the director of what legendary bomb comedy/adventure starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman?  Answer »
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