eric262003 It seems ironic that three doomed projects that Mike Nichols directed starred Jack Nicholson ("The Fortune", "Heartburn" and What Planet Are You From?"). Nicholson along with Meryl Streep was in "Heartburn" and Warren Beatty and in "The Fortune" which marked the debut of Stockard Channing of "Grease" fame.I have a problem of watching stupid people commit some of the dumbest things. It makes me cringe to see such talented performers like Beatty, Nicholson and Channing would lower their standards to playing these characters. Even awful films like "Ishtar" directed by Nichols and starring Beatty has more things going for over the abominable "The Fortune". This movie takes its place in the annals of other 1970's stinkers like "The Frisco Kid" that starred an odd pairing of Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford and was directed by Robert Aldrich (both were period pieces with "The Frisco Kid" set in 1850's while "The Fortune" was set in the roaring 1920's).Due to the restriction of the Mann Act, it was against the law that a man to transport a woman across state lines for purposes that were deem immoral, which was at the time having sex outside of wedlock. To avoid such penalization, the cautious Nicky (Warren Beatty), who's struggling from divorcing his wife, manipulates his friend Oscar (Jack Nicholson) to marry Frederica (Stockard Channing), who's about to become extremely wealthy. She was oblivious when her husband arrived at the wedding ceremony drunk orchestrated by Nicky. The three travel by berths from the East to Los Angeles and settle in a stucco house that is owned by a workaholic Mrs. Gould (Florence Stanley).Oscar wants to go over some nuptial agreements to this marriage and property matters (which also means intercourse to prevent this marriage from being null and void). Nicky is harried at his friend's neediness and idiocy to the person he falsely claims he loves.Once Freddie knows that she's being conned by the two men who are after her fortune, she starts becoming vocal about donating the fortune she's about to receive. This means that the boys must do something drastic before she does such a task. The antics are awkward and lacks in anything logical even for a screwball comedy. There's no wit or reasonable approach to their schemes to the point where you don't really care for the characters.It's a complex procedure as to find the right ingredient for a comedy to work, but it's even more complex into unravel how a comedy can flop. I mean the script was written by Carole Eastman who in past wrote several films in which Nicholson starred in like "The Shooting" and "Five Easy Pieces". You have a very capable director Mike Nichols who has been more successful in adaptations like "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Angels in America". And we have top quality stars here like Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Stockard Channing who have had great success in the movie world. So where did we go wrong? I can play the blame game to just about anyone, but the culprits behind this abomination goes to writer Eastman and director Nichols. Eastman wrote pedestrian dialogue, awful characters, the plot devices are incoherent and she had the chance to edit out these abysmal devices and try to make it work. The horrible comical timing is partly Nichols to blame as well as the thespians. It's not he was a stranger to them (he directed Nicholson in the 1971 classic "Carnal Knowledge"). Beatty does not have much humour implanted in him, but had his moments in "Bulworth" which he directed himself.Sure there may have been some people who found this film funny and you know what? That's fine you are all entitled to your opinions. It's no surprise that the Coen Brothers like it (especially Joel). To each their own I say. If you are curious to see this movie, well do not let me stop you. I just will not consider watching it again, ever.

LondonLA Just saw this movie 4/6/12 on TV and was delighted to see Nicholson, Beatty and Stockard Channing together. Nicholson portrays a perfect combination of cunning, bewilderment, wild and slightly crazy, while Beatty's character is appealing both when in control and out of control as plans go awry. The movie is worth seeing for their comedic timing and delivery alone. Stockard Channing is terrific and holds her own as a foil for Beatty/Nicholson, and if that's really her singing voice, she would be well cast to play Ethel Merman if a biography of Merman is ever made. Watch this movie for something light and it will definitely make you chuckle and laugh out loud. Costumes and music are in keeping with the era and if you like vintage cars you'll enjoy all the vehicles as well!

Jimmy L. THE FORTUNE doesn't seem like much, but the movie wins you over by the end. It is a screwball-type comedy set in the 1920s and focusing on a peculiar love triangle. The film rests on the shoulders of stars Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, and Stockard Channing.I ended up liking this movie perhaps more than I should have. Mike Nichols's direction is terrific, with long takes and well-choreographed shots. I really enjoyed the 1920s setting, with the period costumes and set design. Warren Beatty hams it up in his dapper, mustached role, but I enjoyed it. (I like the way his character cusses all the time.) The odd pairing of Beatty and Nicholson as partners in crime is great, and Stockard Channing has some fun moments.If I was on the fence about this comedy, the final act won me over. The dark humor really shines through as Beatty's and Nicholson's scheming goes awry. (It won't look like suicide if she's in a trunk.) The ending doesn't really seem to close the book, though.THE FORTUNE is a little-known and under-appreciated comedy. It's great to see big stars like Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson share the screen in an offbeat little comedy like this. The film seems to be lacking something, but the direction is excellent and there's plenty to make you laugh.

ep193577 I rank this as my alternative list of favorite 1970s movies. On this list are ten films that didn't get the critical reaction nor the box office they deserve but IMHO were alongside the true greats ofthe 70s such as The Godfather 1 and 2, Shampoo,Nashville, Taxi Driver, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Dog Day Afternoon, Jaws, The Exorcist and One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest-all blockbusters and among my favorite of the decade. My second tier list of 70s best include Smile, Citizens Band, The Day of the Locust, Law and Disorder, Our Time, The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, The Heartbreak Kid, Swept Away... And this hilarious farce, The Fortune. These were films that were only blips on the radar upon release but for various reasons strike me as great . The Fortune came out in a year where 30s nostalgia was in vogue. Perhaps because of the megaton bomb that was At Long Last Love (which nearly made my list) earlier in the year and the stillborn release of The Wild Party(vastly undetated) , The Fortune didn't stand a chance despite the amazing star power of Warren Beatty and Jack Nichdon. I absolutely love this movie! Warren Beatty has never been sexier or looser on screen in perhaps his best performance and the manic side of Jack Nicholson was embryoed here and would be his signature style throughout the 70s with One Flew and especially Going South. It's a magnificent performance but the real revelation us the astounding Stockard Channing. Why did this lady not become the equivalent of a 40s star? She is gorgeous here and madcap , she's a more beautiful Kate Hepburn. At least the golden globes recognized her but the Oscars should have that year as well. She could have easily taken the Best Supporting Actrss slot occupied by the abysmally untalented Sylvia Miles (how did this hag get 2 Oscat nominations for only 20 minutes of screen time for 2 movies?). The Fortune deserved to make a fortune but flopped. Definitely track this down-it deserves a Renaissance of quirky 70s comedies that also include Smile (Barbara Feldon was a revelation in that) and Hearts of the West(Sylvia Miles has garnered two Oscar ns and the luminous Blythe Danner- None? Where is the justice?).ZThe Fortune demands to be seen.