The treatment given to certain films when they are released is sometimes very unfair. Indeed, sometimes filmmakers are misunderstood or systematically pushed down by critics and audiences. Over time, however, these works are re-evaluated, to the point of becoming true pop culture phenomena. The list is long, but we have chosen five.
The Big Lebowski
The Coen brothers’ film is now appreciated by many spectators and is considered a classic of the seventh art. The figure of the Dude, embodied by Jeff Bridges, is even the object of many diversions. Nevertheless, The Big Lebowski was a real commercial failure when it was released in 1998.
At the time, the opinions of the critics were also very mixed, not to say negative. The public may not yet be ready for this particular humor and this unconventional scenario.
Blade Runner
Ridley Scott’s film missed its target when it was released in 1982. With 41.6 million dollars at the worldwide box office, we can even say that Blade Runner was a monumental flop. It’s not much better on the side of critics who criticize its slowness and action scenes far too rare for us to dwell on it.
More than 40 years later, this feature film has become a reference in science fiction. Moviegoers even consider it better than its released sequel, Blade Runner 2049 released in 2017. It must be said that the latter has not aged a bit and the care taken in photography and special effects has aged very well. The themes of human-machine relationships addressed by the film have also become glaringly topical with recent breakthroughs in the field of AI.
Donnie Darko
During a very long time, Donnie Darko left the public unmoved. Like the previous films mentioned, it was a box office flop when it was released in 2002. It also divided the public. If some cry genius, others emphasize on the contrary a pompous side.
Over time, this feature film has finally become a classic. In this respect, this nugget from Richard Kelly is a perfect film for the Internet because the public can discuss the different meanings to be drawn from this story. Note also that it is through this that Jake Gyllenhaal revealed himself to the general public.
Clockwork Orange
Today adored by moviegoers, Stanley Kubrick’s career has not been a long calm river. And this was particularly the case for the output Clockwork Orange in 1971. This production then caused a scandal with its scenes of pure violence and its subject. Censorship is falling in many countries.
Finally, it is unanimous today, and it is still worth the detour due to its very particular aesthetics and the themes it addresses. The critics are also not kind, and the least we can say is that everyone has a clear opinion on this feature film.
Fight Club
With Fight Club, we are again dealing with a monument of pop culture. However, when it was released in 1999, David Fincher can only deplore a resounding commercial failure.
With hindsight, we salute this realization with small onions, and the talent of the duo of actors made up of Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. The film deserves to be seen, if only for its final twist, but also for the many questions it raises.
Needless to say, there are other productions that didn’t find success until many years later. If any ideas came to you after reading our article, feel free to suggest them to the community in the comments.
