MovieChat Forums > On the Road (2012) Discussion > Worst promoted and distributed movie of ...

Worst promoted and distributed movie of all time?


Film version of a classic American novel is finally brought to the screen. A novel of such monumental cultural importance that its influence has spanned generations not only in America but worldwide. A novel about youth and freedom but also about universal freedom no matter what your age. A cult-hip novel that constitutes its own cottage industry from bohos, beats, hippies, yippies, punks, alternative types and artists, intellectuals and literary types of all persuasions. A novel that is taught in American high schools no less.

Included and on top of all this is the fact that the movie is released to get awards during award season, and stars upcoming and established talent with credentials so as to garner a built-in audience and fan base (Stewart, Hedlund,Adams,Riley,Dunst,Mortensen,Howard).

Yet, it is released in only a select group of cities to a limited amount of people. No awards, no exposure, no buzz, no money, no acclaim and MOST IMPORTANTLY no chance for the uninitiated to experience a new way of thinking, feeling and very being an individual with freedom,life,love and passion/wanderlust to "burn, burn, burn" and open oneself to glories of art, literature, music and human experience let alone true CINEMA.

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[deleted]

Cool story.

2013 Most Anticipated - Stoker, The Spectacular Now

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Well said.

I wouldn't have known about it if I didn't look for it. Years ago I came here on IMDB, and did a search for On The Road, and was shocked to see that the film was going to be made.

I don't watch TV very much, but I did not see any trailers for it. It's not even playing anywhere near me, so I had to download it...we must cut down on the cost of living!

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Yet, it is released in only a select group of cities to a limited amount of people. No awards, no exposure, no buzz, no money, no acclaim and MOST IMPORTANTLY no chance for the uninitiated to experience a new way of thinking, feeling and very being an individual with freedom,life,love and passion/wanderlust to "burn, burn, burn" and open oneself to glories of art, literature, music and human experience let alone true CINEMA.


Unlike blockbuster films with huge promo budgets, indies need good reviews to do reasonably well and OTR's were not great. I do agree it was poorly marketed. The box office openings in NY/LA were very low which is the reason the expansion was pushed back or possibly canceled. Not sure how moving it to March will increase the numbers. It has almost no media exposure.

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I don't watch TV very much, but I did not see any trailers for it. It's not even playing anywhere near me, so I had to download it...we must cut down on the cost of living!


HA! Very nice quip!



I woulda have downloaded anyways cuz I'm a jerk like that.



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Perhaps because it was absolute failure of a film? It was not good at all.

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Paddle faster, I hear banjos!

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"paddle faster, i hear banjo music"

ugh, im a raft guide and i get to hear tourists saying that all summer.

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[deleted]

I so agree with you. This movie was supposed to open slowly, and yet, according to Box Office Mojo, only got 6 screens??? No report of any money made since Jan. 10? I saw a list somewhere that it was supposed to open on more screens in Feb. and March. Haven't heard a thing since that. I don't understand this.








I laugh in the face of danger, then hide til it goes away.

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I read an interview in Sight and Sound with one of the foreign backers of the film.

It's important to realise the the financing for this project came from Europe.

She stated frankly that the film was not made for the mainstream American market but for the foreign market.

The fact that the film failed in Europe (and elsewhere) was hardly encouraging for IFC who some above posters have rightly stated are a small distribution company that cannot afford a massive advertising budget and large cross country (US) release.

Whilst I didn't particularly care for the film when I saw it last August I do think it is the sort of film that may over the years gain something of a cult following once it is more widely seen on DVD.

It may be based on a classic novel but that does not guarantee stellar box office or critical success for a film adaptation.

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They should have released it On Demand as was originally planned.

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