Okay, settle in and maybe grab a Tab or a Crystal Pepsi if you can find one, because we're dusting off a real gem from the Touchstone Pictures shelf today. Remember that specific brand of slightly more 'adult' Disney comedy that emerged in the mid-80s? Outrageous Fortune (1987) absolutely nails that vibe, throwing two polar-opposite actresses into a blender of espionage, bad romance, and cross-country chaos. It’s the kind of movie that felt like a perfect Friday night rental – familiar tropes twisted just enough, propelled by sheer star power.
### When Oil Meets Water (and Gunfire)
Forget meet-cutes; this is a meet-hate. We open on the meticulously crafted world of Lauren Ames (Shelley Long, fresh off her Cheers pedestal), an aspiring actress steeped in classical training and refined sensibilities, attending a prestigious acting class run by the legendary Stanislavski disciple, Michael Santers (Peter Coyote). Cut to Sandy Brozinsky (Bette Midler, pure, unadulterated Divine Miss M), a brassy, loud, decidedly less method actress crashing the same elite class. The friction is immediate, palpable, and hilarious. Long plays Lauren with a tightly-wound physical comedy that perfectly contrasts Midler’s explosive, take-no-prisoners energy. Their initial scenes together crackle with witty, cutting dialogue, courtesy of Leslie Dixon in what was, astonishingly, her very first produced screenplay. You can almost feel the electricity of these two comedic forces sizing each other up.
The twist? They soon discover they’re both romantically involved with the same charismatic acting coach, Santers. And just as this awkward, infuriating truth bombs, so does an actual bomb – seemingly killing Santers and sending Lauren and Sandy reeling. But was he really just an acting teacher? Of course not! This is an 80s caper! Turns out, Santers is a double (maybe triple?) agent tangled up with both the CIA and the KGB, faking his death and leaving a trail of dangerous breadcrumbs. What follows is an unlikely, unwilling partnership as Lauren and Sandy chase Santers across the country, hoping for answers (and maybe payback), all while dodging spies, feds, and various armed goons.
### From Manhattan Lofts to Desert Cliffs
Director Arthur Hiller, a veteran capable of handling diverse genres from the tear-jerking Love Story to the Gene Wilder/Richard Pryor romp Silver Streak, keeps the pacing brisk and balances the comedy with genuine moments of peril. The film cleverly uses its cross-country structure to continually throw Lauren and Sandy into fish-out-of-water scenarios. Their contrasting approaches to survival – Lauren’s attempts at dignified diplomacy versus Sandy’s street-smart hustle – provide endless comedic fodder. One genuinely fun fact: Leslie Dixon reportedly conceived the entire premise simply by imagining two incredibly different women discovering they shared the same lover, letting the plot spiral outwards from that core comedic conflict. It feels organic because that central relationship, the reluctant bonding between Lauren and Sandy, remains the film's sturdy anchor.
The action, while not Die Hard level, has that distinct 80s practical tang. Remember that scene where they have to escape the paramilitary training camp? There's a real sense of frantic energy, actual running, and physical exertion that feels grounded, even amidst the absurdity. And the cliff jump sequence in New Mexico? That wasn't CGI, folks. That was careful stunt coordination and real people taking calculated risks, giving the scene a jolt of genuine tension that holds up remarkably well. It's a great example of how practical effects, even in a comedy, could deliver thrills that felt immediate and visceral on your flickering CRT screen back in the day. The rugged New Mexico landscapes provide a fantastic backdrop, adding a touch of dusty Western adventure to the mix.
### The Midler & Long Show (with excellent support)
Ultimately, Outrageous Fortune lives and breathes on the chemistry between its leads. Bette Midler is a force of nature, landing punchlines with devastating accuracy and imbuing Sandy with a surprising vulnerability beneath the tough exterior. Shelley Long, often playing the sophisticated straight woman, proves equally adept at physical comedy, her character’s gradual unraveling providing some of the film's biggest laughs. While rumors of on-set friction occasionally surfaced, their professional commitment shines through; the adversarial spark translates perfectly into comedic gold on screen. Peter Coyote nails the role of the elusive, charmingly dangerous Santers, making you believe why both women would fall for him. And let's not forget a wonderfully dry supporting turn from George Carlin as a perpetually bemused drifter/tracker – his role was apparently expanded after Hiller enjoyed his initial scenes so much. Adding another layer is the score by Alan Silvestri, bringing some of that adventurous Back to the Future energy to the proceedings.
The film was a solid box office success for Touchstone Pictures, pulling in nearly $53 million against a roughly $16 million budget (that's like making over $140 million today – not bad at all!). It proved audiences were hungry for smart, female-led comedies that didn't shy away from a bit of action and intrigue. It wasn't a critical darling across the board, but most reviewers rightly praised the leads' performances and Dixon's sharp writing. It found its audience, becoming a staple on video store shelves and late-night cable.
### Final Verdict
Outrageous Fortune isn't high art, and sure, some of the plot mechanics feel very much 'of the era'. But its blend of sharp wit, genuine adventure, and the absolutely stellar pairing of Bette Midler and Shelley Long makes it an enduringly enjoyable romp. It captures that specific late-80s energy where comedy could be broad but also surprisingly clever, and where practical stunts still gave action sequences a tangible edge. The dialogue snaps, the leads sparkle, and the whole improbable journey remains ridiculously entertaining.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Justification: The film earns this solid score almost entirely on the strength of its lead performances and Leslie Dixon's witty script. The chemistry between Midler and Long is undeniable and carries the film through some occasionally convenient plot developments. The direction is competent, the supporting cast effective, and the blend of comedy and adventure generally works. It loses a couple of points for some dated elements and a plot that occasionally stretches credibility thin, even for a caper, but the sheer fun factor and star power keep it firmly in 'recommended viewing' territory for fans of 80s comedy.
Final Thought: This is pure 80s comfort food cinema – a reminder that sometimes, the most volatile on-screen pairings make for the most explosively funny adventures, long before digital trickery smoothed out all the rough edges.