In article <[log in to unmask]>, Michael Plott

<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

 

> Judging from some of the most recent posts in this list, I probably shouldn't

> be a subscriber.  I have no degree in film and I do not usually look for some

> deep meaning, philosophy or message in any film I view.

>

> Film, to me, for the most part is simply another means of

> recreation---similar to reading a book.   I subscribed to this list with the

> intention of simply lurking and seing what other people had to say regarding

> film and the business of making films, and in that context I suppose I am not

> annoying anyone with my ignorance (until now).

>

> So....if my following question is too simple or derives from ignorance of

> such magnitude that it offends those with extensive film educations, please

> forgive me.

>

> Why did the movie Ishtar fail?

>

> I thought it moved slowly the first time I saw it, which led me to think

> perhaps it should have been edited differently.  However, after seeing

> several times, I have begun to think of it as an excellent movie.  Much of

> the humor is (to my uneducated mind, anyway) sort of like British

> humor-----understated and unemphasized, yet *absolutely* funny, provided that

> you pay attention.

>

> I appreciate any responses anyone cares to give and again I ask indulgence if

> my query is too elementary for some.

> Mike

 

To satisfy my curiosity, I rented ISHTAR about a year ago, and watched it

-- for half an hour, which was all I could take.  I think it dodges the

issue to blame the industry and the critics for predestining this film for

a great fall.  Let's not make excuses for this turkey -- it simply wasn't

funny.  I sat there with my jaw hanging, watching Hoffman and Beatty

deperately trying to be funny with a screenplay by Elaine May that was

trying desperately to be funny.  It amazed me that this film could have

been released, that anyone connected with it could have actually thought

that an audience would even reward it with a titter.  It belongs with

Bogdanovich's AT LONG LAST LOVE as one of the most bewildering products to

come out of Hollywood.

 

--

Martin Jukovsky

Cambridge, Mass.

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--listen:there's a hell

of a good universe next door;let's go

   --e. e. cummings

 

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