HE reader Evan Boucher, who works in a brokerage house (or something like that), believes that The Dark Knight “is running the risk of setting expectations that literally can’t be met.
“I work with a group of five yuppies, 22-32,” he writes. “Two of these people have said that they plan on seeing it more than once this weekend. Two more have said that they definitely plan on seeing in in the theater even though neither have been to a movie this year. My 19 year old next-door-neighbor is seeing it tonight with a group of 10 buddies. Another co-worker says that they are going to a megaplex tonight where 12 out of 18 theaters are showing Dark Knight at midnight, and they sold out tickets for that show last Tuesday.
“I think this movie is at least $500 million domestic due to these factors: (a) Everyone knows Batman, (b) Crazy Batman fanboys who will see it over and over again; (c) IMAX impact; (d) Uber talented director in his prime; (e) Known supporting cast; (f) Love from critics; (g) No other summer blockbusters creating the anti-blockbuster hangover; and (h) the totally stand-alone, can’t-be-duplicated selling point of seeing Ledger’s finale, both for the reported genius and the respect people have for him as a person.
“In sports, art, music, whatever…there are certain moments where the stars align and every thing reacts based on a need for greatness. This might be it. There hasn’t been a movie thats come along in a while that has united critics and audiences like this. I just don’t know where you would even put the number on this. I don’t know if it will beat Titanic, but it definitely has a shot.”
I say no to that because of (a) the oppressive funereal element and (b) the feeling of beaten up rather than elated that made Edelstein, Denby, Ansen and Thompson unhappy.