Monday Morning Quarterback Part I
By BOP Staff
January 12, 2009
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Kim Hollis: Gran Torino expanded into 2,808 venues this weekend and brought in a jaw-dropping $29.5 million. How did Warner Bros. get such a breakout performance?
Brandon Scott: It's a cross-generational type of movie. People trust Clint as a director, so that brings in a certain crowd. The storyline is universal enough to attract a wide spectrum of age groups. Most importantly, people love to see Clint in this type of role, for which he has generated some buzz. Its not a great film, though. While Clint is fun, the Hmong acting is atrocious and unacceptable in a film of this (any) size. I blame that squarely on Clint.
Max Braden: Following Snakes on a Plane they could have probably named it Clint Eastwood With Guns with the same result.
Daron Aldridge: It had enough recognition to merit a wide expansion, which honestly was much wider than I thought it would, and yes, it is more accessible than the period crime-drama of Changeling. Clint being Dirty Old Harry is what people must want.
Jim Van Nest: Daron, you're dead on. Badass Clint Eastwood stills puts butts in seats. I mean, seriously, how long has it been since Clint's kicked some ass? It's been a long time. I know a ton of people who couldn't wait for this to come out. Most of it had to do with the fact that we'll probably never see Badass Clint in a new movie ever again. And, for a smaller film, the TV ads were EVERYwhere.
Sean Collier: A quick question for those who have seen the film - did anyone get a total on the number of times anyone smiled in this film? I had my money on three or less.
The commercials were everywhere, and decidedly compelling - which is something, considering a film without a particularly unique plot. Furthermore, Clint's been everywhere (I actually saw him on Ellen, which was a bizarre sight...I missed the beginning, let's hope he didn't dance,) and seems to really enjoy his film and want people to see it. We, the people, trust Clint. Besides, we're afraid of what he'll do if we don't buy tickets.
Jamie Ruccio: I think its success can be credited to a few factors. I think Clint Eastwood's name alone, as an actor and especially now a director brings in an audience. I also agree that the story is compelling and universal enough to interests several demographics. But honestly, I think having Tough Guy Clint Eastwood was the draw. Like most famous things in Hollywood, audiences want to see things one more time - whether it's Indiana Jones or Darth Vader. The prospect of seeing Clint Eastwood squint down the barrel of a gun was too much for audiences to resist. And I'm glad, because it's a great film. It's more than it appears to be, too.
Jason Lee: Honestly, I think this is an example of what happens when a good actor does a good job in delivering the exact type of product that audiences love them for. It's Clint's version of Julia Roberts' "My Best Friend's Wedding."
But with a lawn.
David Mumpower: What surprises me about this result is that Gran Torino performed like a de facto action movie, the last great Dirty Harry movie as it were. The one aspect of this I find relevant for us moving forward is that it reinforces the idea that consistently making good films galvanizes consumers who may otherwise be on the fence about a project. Eastwood's last five years have been among the best any Hollywood talent has ever had in terms of critical acclaim and a return to his roots was the perfect capper. I am deeply impressed with what we have seen this weekend with Gran Torino.
Let someone else win some awards, big guy!
Kim Hollis: Do you feel that Gran Torino's performance this weekend will have an impact on Academy Awards nominations?
Brandon Scott: Perhaps not. The only thing with any real hope is his acting performance. The movie certainly doesn't deserve that sort of acclaim. But awards shows are so completely biased anyway, they are losing value and importance in reputation by the year.
Daron Aldridge: I agree with Brandon to a point - that Eastwood's acting will be the best chance at a potential nomination and that best picture just seems like a pipe dream. I will not be surprised if he gets the nod and the award in lieu of a lifetime achievement. This would disappoint me because I really would like to see Mickey Rourke get the trophy for The Wrestler, if he gets nominated.
Eric Hughes: The surprise opening weekend take will put this movie on more people's radars, but not the Academy's (save for a possible acting nom for Clint). As Brandon said in an earlier question, the acting in this thing - except Clint - is so completely terrible. You don't want to call too much attention to this point because all the Hmong actors are first-timers, but come on.
Jim Van Nest: I fully expect to see Clint get an acting nod this year. The thought process is that this might be his last shot. The only thing I wonder is how his director/producer wins would affect this. It's not like he's never WON an Oscar before. In fact, he has four.
Sean Collier: I think some voters may be swayed, but you're on to something, Jim - it's not like he needs an Oscar. In the face of Mickey Rourke's performance and seemingly clear path to the win, Clint might get a token nomination, but they're not going to rob Rourke just to make Eastwood's mantle 20% shinier.
Jamie Ruccio: It's unfortunate but I think don't think Gran Torino's performance this weekend will alter its Oscar chances. I think the slate of movies is set. It's unfortunate because I disagree and in fact think it's a wonderful film. The much maligned performances are of the supporting cast are raw but not distracting. It's Clint Eastwood living out on set one of the very themes in the movie. It manages to take a very common story and infuse it with something special and endearing in the way that many Eastwood-helmed movies do. It won't get the award acclaim to match its critical and box office success, but it should.
Jason Lee: I agree with what most everyone has said: this really helps Eastwood in his hopes for an acting nod but the Best Pic roster seems set. Course, I woulda never predicted Seabiscuit or The Green Mile would have gotten nods, so stranger things have happened.
David Mumpower: I too agree with the group-think here. Eastwood has a better chance of getting a nod now than he did three days ago, but I thought he was already better than 50/50 last Thursday. In terms of the movie itself, what we all seem to be saying is that Gran Torino probably will not get a nod. If it surprises us all and does so, this spectacular box office performance would be the rationale, but it's definitively a better candidate for Best Actor than Best Picture.
Money or accolades? Money or accolades? Aw, why can't I have both?
Kim Hollis: Do you feel at this stage of Clint Eastwood's career that he is more satisfied with critically lauded releases or box office blockbusters?
Brandon Scott: I don't think he cares much. I think he cares about storytelling and he has the right sensibilities as a director to tap into themes that are universal. He doesn't have the Midas touch (see Changeling), but he does have a generally good eye. The allowance/desire of his casting the virgin Hmong actors in Torino is unforgivable. That is the real Unforgiven in my book. I am shocked that he let this happen. Shocked.
Daron Aldridge: True, Brandon, I don't think Eastwood gives a rip what the films do. He just does the movies he wants to do. I doubt that any movie released with his name on it wouldn't be completed without his 100% satisfaction. All the rest, whether awards or money, is just gravy. People will always give him money to make movies, if for no other reason than that he is Clint Eastwood.
Jamie Ruccio: I agree with the previous statements in one part - I don't think Clint Eastwood much cares. He's been a box office smash. He's been lauded with awards for awhile now. I think he's a creative force at the end of his life who enjoys making the films and working on the projects he likes. The fact that he's so accomplished at it is a gift.
I completely disagree Daron that, "People will always give him money to make movies, if for no other reason than that he is Clint Eastwood." He's given many not because of his name but because of the long track record of success. Hollywood doesn't care in the least about a name. It's what that name translates into.
Sean Collier: Daron nailed it. I'm convinced Eastwood just makes the movies he wants to make - exactly as he wants to make them - and is happy just to have the power and respect to do what he wants now. This, to me, explains occasional bewildering choices.
Jason Lee: I agree with Daron, Sean and Brandon . . . though I will say that not giving a damn is a lot easier when every film you make wins itself some degree of critical acclaim.
David Mumpower: I'm going off the board here in my reply and disagreeing with all of you who have said Eastwood doesn't care about this weekend's performance. When a 78-year-old man has his biggest opening weekend ever, which is what has happened here with Gran Torino, that does matter. I don't care who the person is or how much they have accomplished in their long and storied career, even if we're talking about a guy like Eastwood who I have said before in this very column that I believe is in the discussion for greatest Hollywood career ever. When his Space Cowboys brought in $18.1 million in 2000, that news item was written by every entertainment journalist as the last hurrah of a screen icon. In the decade since, he's reached the pinnacle of his career in terms of box office and critical acclaim. Instead of being done, he was just getting warmed up. Capping off the critical success he's had in recent years with a $29.5 million opening is the type of hallmark achievement that even the best of the best would take a moment to savor. No one ever gets THAT jaded about their career.
Reagen Sulewski: I agree with David. My guess is that he cares more about an acting Oscar than the box office, but let's not kid ourselves here. I'd also point out that this kind of result could be enough to shake that "last acting role ever" business, too.