Outrageous Fortune

I saw this movie originally when it was first released at the theaters. I again saw it later when it made it to cable, eg. HBO, Cinemax. ect. I loved the movie but then saw the edited version when it came to network. They cut out a lot of the adult humour. Examples: When Bette says "Gee, you thought I was going to go in and pee on him." verses edited version "Gee, you thought I was going to go in and spit on him". Then the tobacco shop scene: Bette says: "How about a blow job" and then the edited version: "How about a party". Also several scenes cut from the edited version: Bette with Peter Coyote having sex in a chair, seen from behind the chair. The scene at the police station where Bette tells the cop needle dick, pencil dick, ect. when she is trying to make him get the picture. My point is that for some reason this edited version is the only one you can get on tape now. I bought one from Hastings music store and it was this edited version- 99-100 minutes version. Don't know why you can't get the original unedited version of this movie, my favourite comedy of all times.

The comedy that comes in Outrageous Fortune may come in small doses, but it is supplied in good lengths by stars Bette Midler and Shelly Long. They make good comic chemistry as two ladies who have been screwed by the same man. Funny along the way, but it doesn't exactly hit the dart on the head. But it is OK, because of co-star George Carlin, who is good as always, and is especially good here as a Indian hippie-tracker who helps Midler and Long along the way. Best comedy of 1987. B+

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.

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.

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 ****)