The Fortune

By Marshall Fine

It sounded like such an obviously successful combination: director Mike Nichols, stars Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson, and a highly touted newcomer named Stockard Channing. But this slapstick comedy rarely gets off the ground, despite the prodigious efforts of all concerned. Beatty and Nicholson play a pair of would-be sharpies in the Roaring '20s who hit upon a scheme to marry and murder a high-strung heiress (Channing) for her money. Nothing goes right, however, including the part where it's supposed to be funny. The most amusing component is Nicholson, as a frizzy-haired, pencil-mustached dimwit given to wild-eyed rages. More typical, however, is a snit Channing throws, in which she sums up how miffed she is by referring to the two male leads as "you damned poo-poo heads!"

Share Your Memories!

Is The Fortune one of your favorite movies? What do you remember about it? Share your stories (or your reviews) with the world! (We print the best stories right here!)