Product Details

• Actors: Shelley Long, Bette Midler, Peter Coyote, Robert Prosky, John Schuck
• Directors: Arthur Hiller
• Writers: Leslie Dixon
• Producers: Jim Van Wyck, Martin Mickelson, Peter V. Herald, Robert W. Cort, Scott Kroopf
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• VHS Release Date: October 30, 2001
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300276937
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,861 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sometimes a movie works despite all its faults. Outrageous Fortune has a flimsy, formulaic script, so-so production values, and an odd combination of stars, but somehow it's engaging and fun. Shelley Long and Bette Midler play two struggling actresses--one a hoity-toity priss and the other a brassy slob--who learn they've been sleeping with the same guy (Peter Coyote) when he gets blown up in a terrorist assault and they confront each other in the morgue. When they discover that he's still alive, the bickering pair track him down, traipsing across the U.S. in high heels, pursued all the way by government agents, using their dubious acting talents to get them out of tough situations. The absurd plot keeps things moving and director Arthur Hiller (Silver Streak, The Out of Towners) gets cheerful performances out of everyone, particularly the strong supporting cast--including Robert Prosky (Broadcast News, Mrs. Doubtfire) as a pompous acting teacher, comedian George Carlin as a burnt-out would-be Indian, and the underused John Schuck (M*A*S*H, McCabe & Mrs. Miller) as a long-suffering agent. Contrived, cliché-ridden, but just absurd enough to entertain. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

Lauren (Shelley Long, THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE) is refinement, regimentation, and ballet slippers. Sandy (Bette Midler, THE FIRST WIVES CLUB) is brassy, bossy, and stiletto heels. They meet and it's hate at first sight. But these two opposites are shocked to discover a common bond: They share the same boyfriend -- a handsome schoolteacher (Peter Coyote, RANDOM HEARTS) who mysteriously and conveniently disappears. Mr. Right wronged them ... and when they decide to track the scoundrel down, they're thrown together in a cross-country pursuit for better or worse ... mosty for worse! Brilliantly cast and deviously written, this racy, riotous comedy provides sidesplitting laughs of outrageous proportions!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Have a laugh..., May 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outrageous Fortune [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What a brilliant film. It's not overly clever. It's a touch formulaic. It's even a bit silly in places (Bette Midler will NEVER pass as a man by penciling on a moustache and wearing trousers), and the fashion will make you wince.

There is something about this comedy that makes me giggle. I don't know why - is it the way Midler and Long ham it up? Is it the silly girl bonding thing? Is it the crap but hilarious jokes? The bit where Long is shot, even though it's corny, still makes me think 'Ahh...she did it' (You'll know what I mean when you watch the movie).

All in all, you'll be hard pushed to find such a silly yet brilliant film. I heartily recommend watching it, and even buying the video (if it ever becomes available).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTRAGEOUSLY HILARIOUS!, August 24, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (BOLTON, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outrageous Fortune [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very funny, but loses spark in the second half, September 28, 2003

By 

William (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outrageous Fortune (DVD)

Released soon after the success of "Down and Out in Beverley Hills", this film saw everyone's favourite Midler teaming up with Shelly Long for one quite funny movie!

Both women are total opposites who cross paths through a highly unlikely scenario. Then its fun and games and many laughs. Yet the film lacks something, really noticeable in the second half where it just goes a bit wayward.

Still worth seeing though for the fantastic performances by Midler and Long! Worth owning on DVD despite its lack of extras.