Outrageous Fortune

Peter Coyote did not know what he was letting himself in for in Outrageous Fortune when he started kanoodling with both Bette Midler and Shelley Long, both fellow students in Robert Prosky's acting class.

You do got to wonder what to make of a guy who's attracted to such opposite types as Long and Midler. Shelley expands a bit on her famous Diane Chambers character from Cheers. And Bette Midler is simply Bette Midler and that's good enough for me.

These two naturally don't hit it off, but when Coyote turns up as the victim of a bomb blast, both Midler and Long show up to say they're next of kin. Upon examination of the lower extremity of the burned cadaver which is all that's left, the two of them come to the same conclusion it's definitely not Coyote.

Long and Midler just want to find this guy and get an explanation for his behavior and to find out who he really prefers. But there's a lot more to Coyote as the two of them on a merry chase that takes them to the New Mexico desert find out.

Besides those already mentioned look for good performances from John Schuck as the rather rigid thinking CIA man and George Carlin as a droll and philosophical Indian.

You can't say there aren't any more good women's roles being written when you see Long and Midler in Outrageous Fortune.

By the end of the 80's they were churning out countless male buddy pics, so why not a female one? This one features Midler when she used to make funny big budget movies and Long when she used to make movies period. Just like any buddy film, the two hate each other on first sight, Midler the foul-mouthed antagonist and Long as the goody two-shoes. Things are set in motion when the two discover they were "boffing" the same man (Coyote) and decide to find him when they realize his death was staged. They set out on an oddyssey across several states and end up fighting for their lives when he shows us he's not only a spy but somewhat psychotic! There's a great, if contrived, climax set atop skinny vertical rocks that are about 10 feet apart and 100 feet off the ground. But what you look for in these types of movies you find, well-written bickering that should make you giggle plenty of times. Though guys should look out, with this written by a woman, there's a large dose of on target man bashing. Pretty much Long and Midlers last best comedy offering.

Outrageous Fortune (1987) Shelley Long, Bette Midler, Peter Coyote, Robert Prosky, John Schuck, George Carlin, Anthony Heald, D: Arthur Hiller.

Hilarious comic yarn involves two opposite women who both have a fling with the same man and when he dies in an abrupt explosion, secrets unfold. Effervescent performances from Long and Midler in a perfect showcase for them both, where credibility isn't the point, making it a lot of fun.

Running Time: 100 minutes and rated R for strong language and brief sensuality.

RATING: *** (out of ****)

I loved this movie very much in its original unedited version. For some reason I cannot find this version any more. I bought a brand new sealed copy of it from a video store and it was the edited for T.V. version 99-100 minutes. The original unedited version would be a little longer because they cut out several scenes besides the editing of the various adult humor. Would love it very much if someone could hook me up with an original unedited version of this movie. Thanks!

In the 80s it just felt like this was how they made movies, but there's a very specific feel to the era that can't be recaptured, and a limited supply of gems like this, so it's always great to stumble on one you've been missing. All the trademarks are in place, from the clothes to the music to light hearted nature of the whole endeavour. Bette and Shelley play up the characters they'd been type cast with all decade and stumble through a series of zany situations. It's all simple fun and an endearing time capsule.