Rating: 
Summary: Not Perfect, But Perfectly Cast ...
Review: "Outrageous Fortune" takes a lot of twists and turns you don't expect in a comedy; the story folds in on itself a few times, changing direction and keeping you guessing on what may happen next. But thanks to the inspired (and perfect) casting of Bette Midler, Shelley Long, George Carlin, Peter Coyote, and Robert Prosky, the film works and is VERY funny - even on repeated viewings.Shelley Long plays Lauren, a "serious" New York City theatrical actress (this was before the term "actor" was coined for both genders), determined to make it in the business -- her main ambition being to play Hamlet on the professional stage. Never mind that she's "been at it for years and has never earned a dime" (her mother's quote), and owes both her parents $32,000.00 from all their help and (literally) support over the years. When the great Vladimir Korzonowski (Robert Prosky), one of the most world-renowned acting teachers, announces he's taking students on a limited basis, Lauren is thrilled. Conning her daddy out of the $5,000.00 fee, she auditions for and gets into the class ... And meets, at the audition, the outspoken Sandy (Bette Midler), a B-movie style actress ("You saw 'Ninja Vixens?'") who is the opposite of what Lauren believes an actress should be -- Sandy is untrained, undisciplined, and has the vocabulary of a sailor on shore leave. She's also very funny and not nearly as uptight as the rather anal Lauren. Naturally, the two can't stand each other on sight -- making it sort of a pain when they both get into Korzonowski's class. Soon after, though, Lauren's life takes an upswing when she meets Michael (Peter Coyote), a schoolteacher in need of help to make a pumpkin costume for one of his less fortunate students. The two immediately begin an affair that gets hot and heavy ... and cheers Lauren up considerably. We soon learn that Sandy, too, has met a man who's sexual prowess keeps her smile lit ... but when it's revealed that her new lover is Michael as well, the stage seems set for one hell of a showdown between the two volatile actresses. But that's just the beginning -- and also only about the first third of the film. From there, to say much more would give away too much for those who haven't seen it, but suffice is to say, the film doesn't go off in the direction you expect it to ... instead turning into a buddy picture/chase movie that sends our two "bimbo" actresses to Tres Cruces, New Mexico, in a trail of mistaken identities, secret pasts, government conspiracies, secret codes, and attempted murder lead both women to a final showdown in the desert with a man intent on doing away with them both. Oh yeah, and there are a HELL of a lot of laughs along the way, with Lauren and Sandy trading insults and innuendos all across the country, as they sort of "make it up as they go along" in their search to get to the truth. The second half of the film, although not as constantly entertaining as the first, still completes the picture of a film that's a personal favorite of mine, and one I added to my DVD collection soon as it was released. Shelley Long plays very much her Diane-like character from "Cheers," and Bette Midler ... well, she pretty much plays Bette Midler, which is why she's so great in the film. The movie's improbabilities will entertain, just don't take them too seriously ... this is sort of a popcorn comedy, filling and satisfying and not to be judged on anything but its own merits. A great little film more people should see (...) --
Rating: 
Summary: OUTRAGEOUSLY HILARIOUS!
Review: A true, classic comedy, starring the loveable SHELLY LONG and award winning actress, BETTE MIDDLER. The plot is of two girls, Lauren (LONG) and Sandy (MIDDLER), who both lead completley different lifestyles but share one common bond - they both have the same boyfriend! After he mysteriously disappears in suspicious circumstances, they are determined to track the scoundrel down which plunges them into a fast, action packed, cross country adventure. The stars chemistry shines through the razor sharp, witty dialogue. Well worth obtaining on video or DVD! A CLASSIC!
Rating:
Summary: Not to Be Missed
Review: Bette Middler brings the sass and Shelley Long the class, (as they are forever type-cast) in this *fantastic* slice of 80s movie heaven. This movie is an amalgam of 80s high-style fantasies. Shakespeare, ballet, the Cold War, and MORE combine in this caper-adventure comedy. This is the funniest movie I have EVER seen, EVER. I still quote the great one-liners delivered excellently by Middler and Long. The scene where they try to get the check-in woman to give them the name of the flight their Dead(?) lover is on, is comedic *brilliance*. If you are a fan of comedy AT ALL, this one is NOT TO BE MISSED!!! You'll love it! "I paid $5,000 to study with the KGB."
Rating:
Summary: Enemies to Best Friends
Review: Bette Midler and Shelley Long are fantastic in these roles. Its a movie that you have to see again and again, it never seems to get old. Bette Midler as Sandy and Shelley Long as Lauren both fall for the same guy who is only using them to pass along top secret information. This movie is very good and I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Very funny and highly enjoyable!
Review: Bette Midler and Shelly Long are a dynamic duo! I don't enjoy slap stick type comedy very much, but these characters were delightfully funny! It's a must for anyones video library. I hope it will be re-released soon!
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not that great
Review: Bette Midler is the real standout in this film, which is by now somewhat dated. But she's sharp as a gold-plated rhinestone and makes this movie come alive. It's not that Shelly Long is bad; she's not--she's fine. But because of the more-than-cliched plot, it needs something extra to carry it through, and Bette does that quite well. Rather than focusing on the plot--that's been done above and by others--I'll just say that this could be a good movie to watch if you need a couple of chuckles (but not a lot) and don't have too many better things to do. Russian spies and renegade agents and FBI men who talk about season tickets to the Redskins--yeah, OK, great. Making a last-minute plane, posing as a cop, being chased by dangerous guys--uh huh, sure, right. You get the picture.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: Comedy-caper clunk OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE wastes the considerable talents of Bette Midler and Shelley Long. Both have been in much better films, but even the other bombs in which I've seen them didn't disappoint me as much as OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE. Was the story changed around once Midler and Long signed their contracts, or was the actresses' judgement simply that poor, playing people so stupid that you would think Jessica Hahn and Pia Zadora had first turned down the roles? And what is a title like OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE even supposed to mean? Don't bother trying to figure it out, and don't let OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE pollute your VCR.
Rating:
Summary: Wow. Touchstone really messed up!
Review: First of all, why does it say on the back of the DVD case under special features "Theatrical Trailer" when there is none? Why does Touchstone have to make DVD's with NO special features (Really. They put "french language track" as a special feature)?
I pay $20.00 for my dvds, and I want my money to be worth something. This DVD is CRAP! What a waste of money! Get the video verson, because the picture quality is better. I don't even understand why Touchstone makes dvds like this! It's a waste of their money and a waste of mine! But about the movie...IT"S GREAT! "A perfect showcase of Midler and Long" is right. You'll be laughing 'till your sides fall off!5 stars for movie!
Rating:
Summary: Wow. Touchstone really messed up!
Review: First of all, why does it say on the back of the DVD case under special features "Theatrical Trailer" when there is none? Why does Touchstone have to make DVD's with NO special features (Really. They put "french language track" as a special feature)?
I pay $20.00 for my dvds, and I want my money to be worth something. This DVD is CRAP! What a waste of money! Get the video verson, because the picture quality is better. I don't even understand why Touchstone makes dvds like this! It's a waste of their money and a waste of mine! But about the movie...IT"S GREAT! "A perfect showcase of Midler and Long" is right. You'll be laughing 'till your sides fall off!5 stars for movie!
Rating:
Summary: one of my favorite movies
Review: I love this movie, Bette Midler and Shelley Long are great together. They go from enemies to friends, on a crazy chase to find this guy who's in some kind of trouble, but they never guessed how much, he had gone out with both of them, and they were going to find him to make him choose which one he wanted. They find out he's a bad guy, and save the day in there own crazy way, I love this film.
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