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IMDbPro

Ishtar

  • 19871987
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
Trailer for Ishtar
Play trailer2:07
1 Video
47 Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
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 C.I.A., the Emir of Ishtar, and the rebels trying... Read allTwo terrible lounge singers get booked to play a gig in a Moroccan hotel but somehow become pawns in an international power play between the C.I.A., the Emir of Ishtar, and the rebels trying to overthrow his regime.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 C.I.A., the Emir of Ishtar, and the rebels trying to overthrow his regime.
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
11K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Elaine May
  • Writer
    • Elaine May
  • Stars
    • Warren Beatty
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Isabelle Adjani
Top credits
  • Director
    • Elaine May
  • Writer
    • Elaine May
  • Stars
    • Warren Beatty
    • Dustin Hoffman
    • Isabelle Adjani
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 167User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Ishtar
    Trailer 2:07
    Ishtar

    Photos47

    Dustin Hoffman in Ishtar (1987)
    Isabelle Adjani in Ishtar (1987)
    Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    Dustin Hoffman in Ishtar (1987)
    Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    Dustin Hoffman, Isabelle Adjani, and Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty in Ishtar (1987)
    1 sheet movie poster
    Banner for video release, Banner, 18 x 51
    Ishtar (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Warren Beatty
    Warren Beatty
    • Lyle Rogersas Lyle Rogers
    Dustin Hoffman
    Dustin Hoffman
    • Chuck Clarkeas Chuck Clarke
    Isabelle Adjani
    Isabelle Adjani
    • Shirra Asselas Shirra Assel
    Charles Grodin
    Charles Grodin
    • Jim Harrisonas Jim Harrison
    Jack Weston
    Jack Weston
    • Marty Freedas Marty Freed
    Tess Harper
    Tess Harper
    • Willaas Willa
    Carol Kane
    Carol Kane
    • Carolas Carol
    Aharon Ipalé
    Aharon Ipalé
    • Emir Yousefas Emir Yousef
    Fijad Hageb
    • Abdulas Abdul
    • (as Fuad Hageb)
    David Margulies
    David Margulies
    • Mr. Clarkeas Mr. Clarke
    Rose Arrick
    • Mrs. Clarkeas Mrs. Clarke
    Julie Garfield
    • Dorothyas Dorothy
    Cristine Rose
    Cristine Rose
    • Siri Darmaas Siri Darma
    • (as Christine Rose)
    Robert V. Girolami
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (as Bob Girolami)
    Abe Kroll
    • Mr. Thomopoulosas Mr. Thomopoulos
    Hannah Kroll
    • Mrs. Thomopoulosas Mrs. Thomopoulos
    Herb Gardner
    Herb Gardner
    • Rabbi Pierceas Rabbi Pierce
    Bill Moor
    • U.S. Consulas U.S. Consul
    • Director
      • Elaine May
    • Writer
      • Elaine May
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In one of Gary Larson's "The Far Side" comic strips, captioned "Hell's Video Store", the entire store is stocked with nothing but copies of this film. Larson later apologized, saying "When I drew the above cartoon, I had not actually seen 'Ishtar'. Years later, I saw it on an airplane, and was stunned at what was happening to me: I was actually being entertained. Sure, maybe it's not the greatest film ever made, but my cartoon was way off the mark. There are so many cartoons for which I should probably write an apology, but this is the only one which compels me to do so."
    • Goofs
      When Marty Freed is sitting with Chuck and Lyle, after he first hears their act, he puts his hand up to his mouth ("Let me tell you what I told Tony Bennett..."). In the next shot, the hand is on the table.
    • Quotes

      Chuck Clarke: Stupid-ass camel! He'd rather sit there and die!

      Lyle Rogers: You know, I kind of admire that.

      Chuck Clarke: Me too.

    • Alternate versions
      UK cinema and video versions were cut by 8 secs by the BBFC to remove uses of the word 'fuck' in order for the film to receive a PG rating. The cuts were restored in 2004 to the 15-rated DVD release.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Guilty Pleasures - 1987 (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Dangerous Business
      Lyrics and Music by Paul Williams

      Produced by Michael James Jackson and Paul Williams

      Executive Producer Paul Williams

      Performed by Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman

    User reviews167

    Review
    Top review
    Nothing Great, But Often Very Funny
    If ISHTAR had starred Steve Martin and Chevy Chase, been directed by John Landis and shot for $10 million on a Hollywood sound stage, I think people would have enjoyed it for what it is, a sophomoric, silly road movie.

    However, it stars Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman, and was directed by Elaine May, a trio of actors and filmmakers who were known for comedy classics as HEAVEN CAN WAIT, THE HEARTBREAK KID and TOOTSIE. Therefore, people expecting to see the most brilliant American comedy of all time were shocked and appalled when, instead, they got a glorified Cheech and Chong movie.

    Is this fair? Yes and no. ISHTAR definitely falls flat at times. There are some curiously lifeless moments and awkward scenes that reek of last minute re-editing. The movie is far from perfect. But it is often very funny, and features two terrific, underrated performances from Beatty and Hoffman.

    Watching Beatty play such a well meaning dim-wit is a real treat. And Hoffman is just as good playing an equally dense, overly self-assured jerk. Elaine May and Paul William's intentionally awful songs are hilarious as well. People who criticize the quality of the songs or Beatty and Hoffman's vocal talent are obviously missing the joke, as both are SUPPOSED to be bad.

    A pre-obnoxiously conservative Charles Grodin adds plenty of laughs as a CIA agent, while Isabelle Adjani does well in a deceptively complex role, which requires her to play it totally straight while engaged in completely ludicrous scenes with Beatty and Hoffman.

    Beatty and Hoffman's interaction while trapped in the desert is classic. One of the movie's funniest moments involves the wind kicking up after they have been told by Adjani that "there is no wind in the desert". Hoffman asks, "Is the wind blowing?" Beatty answers, "This must be one of those once in a lifetime things, like the glaciers melting." If you don't find that funny, you'll hate this movie.

    But if dry, silly humor is your cup of tea, and you can view a movie without being overly distracted by it's star power, then you just might enjoy ISHTAR. It doesn't always work, but I found it to be pretty funny, with a fair amount of really great laughs. Considering the barrage of moronic, unfunny Hollywood comedies that have come and gone in it's wake, ISHTAR should be considered a triumph.
    helpful•66
    24
    • squeezebox
    • Jul 9, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 15, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Іштар
    • Filming locations
      • Morocco
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Delphi V Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $55,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,375,181
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,331,817
      • May 17, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,375,181
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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