Ishtar (1987)

The Crit Club is a brave bunch, no stranger to tackling any movie, whatever its reputation. To prove our courage, this week we’re watching the notorious 1987 box office bomb Ishtar, written and directed by Elaine May. Its plot is a goofy buddy comedy starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman as aspiring songwriters who somehow find themselves a gig in Morocco. But the film’s legacy is one of reported mismanagement, studio interference, and deep-seated grudges, which led to a reputation as being one of the worst movies ever made. Did we buy into that hype, or was there an oasis to find in the desert of Ishtar? Listen and find out. And join us next week for a Wizard Pick™, where we’ll watch the 1936 British science fiction film Things to Come. You can follow the whole of our podcast, aided by ⁠this helpful spreadsheet⁠ which documents all the scores we gave to the movies we have watched. And drop us a line! You can email us at [email protected] or find us on Instagram or Threads with the handle @critclubpodcast. Crit Club's theme song and art were made by co-host ⁠Peter Allen Clark⁠.