Ishtar Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two talentless songwriters stumble into an international conspiracy because their terrible music is somehow a threat to world peace.

🍿 Ishtar: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Terrible Songwriting Duo

Lyle Rogers (Warren Beatty) and Chuck Clarke (Dustin Hoffman) are two struggling songwriters in New York City, dreaming of hitting the big time. However, their lack of talent and questionable lyrics consistently lead to failure. Their manager, Marty Freed, books them a gig in Morocco, hoping to salvage their careers.

Caught in International Intrigue

Upon arriving in Morocco, Lyle and Chuck unwittingly become entangled in a complex web of international espionage. A mysterious woman named Shirra Assel (Isabelle Adjani) involves them in a plot involving a hidden map, a power-hungry Emir, and the ever-present CIA. Suddenly, they are pawns in a dangerous game they barely understand.

Desert Misadventures

As Lyle and Chuck navigate the treacherous Moroccan landscape, they encounter various challenges, including hostile rebels, double-crossing CIA agents, and even a blind camel. Their ineptitude and naivety only deepen their predicament, leading to a series of comical and absurd situations. They find the map sewn into Chuck’s jacket’s lining.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lyle Rogers (Warren Beatty): A naive and somewhat dim-witted aspiring songwriter who gets caught up in international intrigue.
• Chuck Clarke (Dustin Hoffman): A more confident but equally inept songwriter and Lyle’s partner, also embroiled in the political chaos.
• Shirra Assel (Isabelle Adjani): A French-Moroccan agent who seeks the help of Lyle and Chuck to deliver a map.
• Jim Harrison (Charles Grodin): A CIA agent who becomes involved with Lyle and Chuck, using them as pawns in his operation.
• Marty Freed (Jack Weston): The talent agent who books Rogers and Clarke in Morocco.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chuck Clarke: “Stupid-ass camel! He’d rather sit there and die!” – Exasperated, Chuck observes the camel’s stubbornness during their desert journey.
• Lyle Rogers: “You know, I kind of admire that.” – Lyle responds to Chuck’s camel frustration with a sense of naive admiration for the camel’s stubbornness.
• Chuck Clarke: “Me too.” – Chuck agrees with Lyle’s admiration.
• Chuck Clarke: “Telling the truth is a dangerous business; honest and popular don’t go hand in hand. If you admit you can play the accordion, they’ll never hire you in a rock-and-roll band. But we can sing our hearts out!!!” – Chuck Clarke perfectly encapsulates the duo’s delusional self-belief and their obliviousness to their own lack of talent.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,375,181
• Worldwide Gross: $14,375,181

💥 Ishtar Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Ishtar’ knowing it was considered one of the worst movies ever made, and honestly, it wasn’t *that* bad. The intentionally terrible songs were hilarious in a train-wreck kind of way, and seeing Beatty and Hoffman play against type was surprisingly entertaining. Charles Grodin’s deadpan CIA agent was a definite highlight, and while the plot was convoluted, it kept me engaged enough to see where it was going. I would recommend it if you want a bit of a funny laugh.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in cult films”
  • “Those who enjoy satirical takes on American foreign policy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Some coarse language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A legendary flop that squanders the talents of Beatty and Hoffman on a tone-deaf comedy with a nonsensical plot and surprisingly few laughs.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert noted that the film was not as terrible as the hype suggested, however, its jokes fall flat and its plot meanders, leaving viewers wondering what exactly the point of it all is.

Audience Reactions

Many find the intentionally bad songs hysterically funny.: The film’s humor is divisive; some love it, some hate it.

The cast is committed to their roles, delivering unexpectedly funny performances.: The acting is solid, given the material.

Overall Consensus: A movie that is either brilliantly bad or just plain bad, depending on your sense of humor. It’s a unique, though flawed, cinematic experience that has garnered a cult following.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Gary Larson of ‘The Far Side’ fame initially included a comic strip depicting ‘Hell’s Video Store’ stocked only with ‘Ishtar’ copies, but he later apologized after actually watching the movie and finding it entertaining.”
• “Elaine May, known for her improvisational comedy background, directed ‘Ishtar,’ which led to a clash between her style and the studio’s expectations for a big-budget film.”
• “The film’s soundtrack features intentionally bad songs written by Paul Williams and Elaine May, performed by Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ishtar?

Ishtar is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming options as availability may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ishtar, you might like these similar films:

• The Road to Morocco (1942): A classic ‘Road to…’ film starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, sharing the buddy-adventure-in-exotic-locations formula.
• Burn After Reading (2008): A dark comedy with bumbling characters caught up in a ridiculous CIA plot. Features dark humour, clueless protagonists, and espionage satire.
• Three Amigos! (1986): Comedic take on heroes being mistaken for actual heroes. Has the same light-hearted fun as ‘Ishtar’.
• Hail, Caesar! (2016): A comedic Coen brothers film that satirizes Hollywood and Cold War paranoia. Shares a similar tone of absurdity and dark humor.
• Kentucky Fried Movie (1977): A cult classic sketch comedy film known for its outrageous and absurd humor, appealing to those who appreciate ‘Ishtar’s’ unconventional comedic style.

🛒 Ishtar Related Products

• Ishtar (Blu-ray): Own the infamous film on Blu-ray and see if it’s as bad as everyone says. A must-have for collectors of cinematic oddities.
• Warren Beatty: A Life: Explore the career of Warren Beatty, including his role in the controversial Ishtar. A fascinating read for fans of the actor and behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories.
• Dustin Hoffman: Hollywood’s Anti-Hero: A biography of the iconic actor and his most daring roles. A must read to understand this legendary performer.
• Ishtar Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for fans of cult classics or those who appreciate cinematic history.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ishtar features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dangerous Business” – performed by Warren Beatty & Dustin Hoffman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rogers & Clarke – Little Darlin’ (Ishtar)

Is ‘Ishtar’ really *that* bad? This clip argues no, and it’s pretty funny. Check it out and see if it changes your mind!

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