Ishtar
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
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  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    12
    A truly dreadful film, a lifeless, massive, lumbering exercise in failed comedy. Elaine May, the director, has mounted a multimillion-dollar expedition in search of a plot so thin that it hardly could support a five-minute TV sketch.
  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Staff (Uncredited)
    25
    The funny scenes are as far apart as oases in the Sahara. [22 May 1987]
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  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    30
    It's piddling -- a hangdog little comedy with not enough laughs...its spirit rattles around inside it like a marble in an oil drum.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.5 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 3 out of 6
  1. cameronmorewood
    0
    Ishtar is literally the worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life. Anyone who sits through it, is either socially/financially obligated to, or they just hate themselves that much.… Full Review »
  2. Sam
    2
    Ishtar isn't funny, it isn't clever, and it isn't entertaining, the complete opposite of Young Frankenstein, a true comedy classic. It is however, so damn close to being so bad it's good though.… Full Review »
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