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Ishtar (1987)

PG_13 107 min  -  Adventure | Comedy | Music  -   15 May 1987 (USA)
3.8
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Ratings: 3.8/10 from 6,671 users   Metascore: 52/100 
Reviews: 119 user | 24 critic | 16 from Metacritic.com

Two terrible lounge singers get booked to play a gig in a Moroccan hotel but somehow become pawns in an international power play between the CIA... See full summary »

Director:

Elaine May

Writer:

Elaine May
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Ishtar -- Two down-on-their-luck lounge singers find themselves in the middle of a political uprising in a small Middle Eastern country.
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Warren Beatty ...
Dustin Hoffman ...
Isabelle Adjani ...
Shirra Assel
Charles Grodin ...
Jim Harrison
Jack Weston ...
Marty Freed
Tess Harper ...
Willa
Carol Kane ...
Carol
Aharon Ipalé ...
Emir Yousef
Fijad Hageb Fijad Hageb ...
Abdul (as Fuad Hageb)
David Margulies ...
Mr. Clarke
Rose Arrick Rose Arrick ...
Mrs.Clarke
Julie Garfield ...
Dorothy
Cristine Rose ...
Siri Darma (as Christine Rose)
Robert V. Girolami Robert V. Girolami ...
Bartender (as Bob Girolami)
Abe Kroll Abe Kroll ...
Mr. Thomopoulos
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Storyline

Two terrible lounge singers get booked to play a gig in a Moroccan hotel but somehow become pawns in an international power play between the CIA, the Emir of Ishtar, and the rebels trying to overthrow his regime. Written by Stern  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Emir | Morocco | CIA | Map | Hotel  | See more »

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Music

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$51,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,331,817 (USA) (17 May 1987) (1139 Screens)

Gross:

$14,375,181 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's reception was so awful it helped coin a new Hollywood term in relation to director Elaine May: "movie jail". The term referred to someone whose perceived failure as a director was so profound, they would not be allowed to helm a movie again for a very long time, if ever again. In fact, May has not directed a single new movie since Ishtar. See more »

Goofs

Boom mic visible: By the chandelier when Jim talks to the Emir. See more »

Quotes

Lyle Rogers/ Chuck Clarke: [singing] Telling the truth can be dangerous business; / Honest and popular don't go hand in hand. / If you admit that you play the accordion, / No one will hire you in a rock 'n' roll band. / But we can sing out hearts out. / And if we're lucky, then no neighbors complain. / Because life is the way we audition for God; / Let us pray that we all get the job.
See more »


Soundtracks

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?"
Lyrics and Music by Bruce Gordon
Performed by Screamin' Honkers See more »