MJ's Passing Hurt Enemies
"I respect your love for Public Enemies," a critic friend wrote this evening. "I have to say it didn't bowl me over -- it's too diffuse, too uncertain on what story it really wanted to tell. Although, agreed, Marion Cotillard is terrific and there's no doubt the film looks wonderful, like every Mann project.
"But there's a point here -- and maybe a post -- in how the externals of last Thursday's big NY screening at Leows' 84th Street may have critically affected its reception.
"As I'm sure you know, the Manhattan screening was a clusterfuck -- long lines, not enough seats, etc. Several major critics were heard loudly complaining about all of this, and while this is petty shit and shouldn't influence any pro's opinion -- I remember giving raves to movies I saw sitting on the floor of the Eccles -- it definitely can.
"The other imponderable was, bizarrely, Michael Jackson.
"What does he have to do with John Dillinger? Nothing. But, again, one big-time reviewer told me, having heard about the death just minutes before the film started, 'I don't think I can sit down and watch this movie now.' Jackson's tragedy was, at the very least, a distraction from what was about to demand (and deserve) our full attention as it unfolded onscreen.
"Is any of this Mann's fault? Obviously not. And I can honestly say my feelings about the film had nothing to do with the mismanaged screening or the death of a pop star. I'm used to cattle-call screenings (and usually just bully my way through). And I thought Jackson's death was sad, but weirdly predictable.
"But did all this strangely, subtly, unfairly, bring down other people's enjoyment of the film? Yeah, probably."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 28, 2009 at 9:23 PM
comment #1
ErrantElan
says ...
I completely understand his point. I'm by no means a massive MJ fan, and I've been weirded out by him for as long as most people have, but I do love a lot of his music and had a healthy respect for the enormity of his fame and influence. For that huge of a death to happen so suddenly right before a movie viewing....I don't think I'd have had my full attention on it. I'd have wanted to get out and find out what the hell happened.
Posted by ErrantElan
at June 28, 2009 11:10 PM
comment #2
DeeZee
says ...
What really hurt Public Enemies was choosing to sell it as a summer movie, when it belongs in the fall.
Posted by DeeZee
at June 28, 2009 11:21 PM
comment #3
BurmaShave
says ...
Too smart for the real D.
Posted by BurmaShave
at June 29, 2009 12:12 AM
comment #4
Terry McCarty
says ...
So maybe PUBLIC ENEMIES may need a Joe Morgenstern type of "saw it a second time and reversed my original opinion" review.
Posted by Terry McCarty
at June 29, 2009 12:30 AM
comment #5
Markj74
says ...
Teenagers are going to give this film a wide berth, so box office may be a problem. Do adults even go to the pictures anymore?
Posted by Markj74
at June 29, 2009 12:59 AM
comment #6
Bilge
says ...
Jesus people. At least wait till the movie comes out!
Posted by Bilge
at June 29, 2009 4:32 AM
comment #7
btwnproductions
says ...
Plenty of grownups go to the movies. To this movie, I don't know, but I think initial interest will be strong.
Posted by btwnproductions
at June 29, 2009 5:06 AM
comment #8
mutinyco
says ...
Nobody at the screening was upset about MJ. We were just upset that our iPhones a BB's didn't get reception in the theater, and we had to wait till we got outside to get updates.
Posted by mutinyco
at June 29, 2009 5:51 AM
comment #9
Sabina E
says ...
hahahahaha um no.... I don't know anyone who's "hurt" by MJ's death. Yeah, it's a tragedy, but I don't know anyone who's crying over his death. Please, these reviewer critics are idiots and need to get over themselves.
Almost everyone, that I know, is excited for Public Enemies and the movie ain't gonna be affected by the death of a music icon who had nothing to do with John Dillinger. M'kay?
Posted by Sabina E
at June 29, 2009 7:26 AM
comment #10
YRG
says ...
I think Farrah's passing had more to do with it... or the triple whammy of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and MJ...
Posted by YRG
at June 29, 2009 9:03 AM
comment #11
StoneFan1
says ...
I bet holding off until the Fall would cost Universal about $10-20 million. They've got to release it now.
Anything around $35 million for the five day gross would be great.
Posted by StoneFan1
at June 29, 2009 9:58 AM
comment #12
Todd
says ...
To those who have STM loss such as Markj. Gran Torino $148,000,000.00 domestic.
Posted by Todd
at June 29, 2009 12:22 PM
comment #13
xtmxady
says ...
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at March 8, 2010 1:54 PM
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