Think getting older is the kiss of death at the box office?
Some aging icons beg to differ, and they’re sending a message to Clooney, DiCaprio and co. – it’s not your town just yet.
Last year’s death door dramedy “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman brought in $93 million.
Now, “Gran Torino,” starring the 78-year-old Clint Eastwood, is taking no prisoners at the box office.
“Gran Torino” rocketed to number one over the weekend, beating out those battling Brides Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson. Monday, “Torino” grossed $2.8 million domestically. The next 3 highest grossing films came in at slightly above or below $1million Monday, according to Warner Bros., the studio behind “Torino.”
So what gives? Audiences could be clamoring for bona fide movies stars – and ignoring the crow’s feet and age spots.
Or perhaps these films serve an underserved market — anyone over 21 years of age who is sick of bad horror sequels and formulaic fare.
A better test comes this week with the release of “Last Chance Harvey.” Will audiences flock to see a senior citizen like Dustin Hoffman woo Emma Thompson, more than two decades his junior but still of a “certain age?”
Let’s hope so, or successes like “Gran Torino” will be the exception that studio bosses choose to ignore.
(Photo: Clint Eastwood is still making our day with “Gran Torino,” his latest box office hit.)
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the appeal of Gran Torino is the storyline.. the Hoffman/Thompson film still sounds like a chick flick. Neither I or my husband are interested in the film.
Unabashed patriotism, respect for one’s property (and the property of others), and watching Clint soften and evolve was a wonder. I’ve seen commentary that he is Dirty Harry grown old, and I don’t know if I agree with that analogy, more like Gunney Highway in the twilight of his years.
I’ve heard many young men talking about the movie, and they are talking about going with their dad’s and uncles, I think it is really a guy film with heart. The assimilation theme of the young man being taught how to be a man, and what’s important (build with your hands, take care of your tools, take responsibility, etc) seems to resonate.
His atonement for the deed he did during the Korean War that he carried like a cancer, how the Hmong kids and family ultimately touched him and gave him purpose, it was so moving, funny, and painful to watch.
I can’t recall another film in the last 20 years that showed this coming of age type story from a male perspective.
Eastwood owns “Gran Torino” – start to finish. I thought it was brilliant – one of the best films of 2008, even though most of us had to wait until 2009 to see it.
I think Zeluna brings up a very good point about this being a “guy” film with heart. Our theater was packed with young twenty-something males, which sort of shocked me. When a pack of them sat behind us at the theater I was ready to become annoyed at the usual talking, texting and general b.s. I’ve grown accustom to from that crowd. However, these guys were rivited, I never heard a peep until the movie ended and they were all gushing (literally) about how awesome the movie was…
It’s hard for a movie to get any respect these days, especially from the crowd who likes the crap like “Bride Wars.” My gal pals made me go and see it on a ladies’ night – ugh – awful and terrible are not strong enough words to describe my disappointment in this silly movie – could have they possibly made “weddings” more shallow??
I’m a man who believes Kate and Anne are more talented than your average romantic comedic actress. However, that doesn’t mean that the creative segment of Hollywood has a better grasp of the institution of marriage than the Hollywood consumer.
You’re dead on about the talent level .. but Hudson co-produced “Bride Wars” so she’s gotta take some of the blame.