Just look at that freaking poster. It makes it seem like a lighthearted comedy. When the film was being promoted the commercials only featured the ''funny parts''. What were the thinking? this is actually a serious film if you get beyond the poop pie gag and snobby southern ladies you have a film about racial brutality, death and despair.
shareWell, lots of posters don't give you any hints about the movie's darker scenes.
So I'm really not surprised.
most people would not watch a film with mostly women involving serious issues. The poster is brilliant because it conceals the issues which were happening back then. It's not mismarketed at all.
racism, class inequity, ableism, sexism were experienced by women back then even if they weren't 'yelling and screaming'.