Why the low box office draw?
I dont get why the film couldnt at least make its budget back. It was okay but certainly not terrible.
shareI agree, I would certainly have expected it to do better than this. Really don't understand it.
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MovieChat Forums > Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016) Discussion > Why the low box office draw?
Almost no advertising and lackluster reviews. Not to mention lots of competition right now.
sharePersonally, the only picture I get in my mind every time I think of this film is Billy with tears in his eyes. To me, that's not a compelling picture at all; do I want to see this guy cry for 2 hours?
shareThis was actually one of the draws to the movie, for me. I loved that it was this emotional. It really made an impact on me seeing the effects that the war had on Billy and the rest of Bravo.
shareFor most people in the US, movies are escapist entertainment. They don't want to see movies that make them think and feel uncomfortable, to experience loss, and deal with conflicting feelings. This is a movie that challenges the viewer to look at some of the more nuanced aspects of the effects of war on young people and the public in general - and also to look at the ways in which the public's view of war differs from the view of the soldiers who actually do the fighting. Comic hero movies require less of the viewer.
In addition, as mentioned by another poster, without a lot of advertising, it is very unlikely that any movie will draw big audiences at the theater. This is the effect of Jaws and Star Wars, and the lack of motivation of most viewers to actively seek out movies that are not advertised widely.
My real name is Jeff
Here's a thoughtful article about the reasons BILLY LYNN flopped (besides not getting really pushed promotion-wise)---it only played at one theatre in the entire metro area I'm from, and it's already gone from there--too bad, because I really wanted to see it. I only saw the trailer for it literally one time on regular TV (saw it online a few times.) There's also the fact that most films about the Iraq war have not been box-office hits (with the exception of AMERICAN SNIPER) since the war was unpopular to begin with,anyway.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/21/ang-lee-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk-iraw-war-films-american-sniper
There's also the fact that its being shot in 120 frames required a particular type of set-up that kind of limited its showing in theatres too. So that's also part of it. I did see Vin Diesel talking it up on the Tonight Show just before it came out, since he's in it. It definitely sounded different from your typical war film, which is what intrigued enough to want to see it.
For most people in the US, movies are escapist entertainment. They don't want to see movies that make them think and feel uncomfortable, to experience loss, and deal with conflicting feelings.
Case in point: Of the top 100 highest grossing films of 2016 so far, I would say only 10 of these could be considered profound and compelling enough to make one "experience loss, and deal with conflicting feelings." And most of these fall in the latter half of the highest grossing films of the year:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2016&p=.htm
#20 Sully
#36 The Girl on the Train
#49 Hacksaw Ridge
#63 Money Monster
#73 Allied
#79 The Finest Hours
#88 Snowden
#90 Free State of Jones
#96 Race
#98 Eye in the Sky
That being said, I was expecting this film to gross as much domestically as Hacksaw Ridge as both are war films with similar production budgets, directed by Oscar winning directors and starring experienced actors. Interestingly, although HR has grossed much more domestically than Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, BLLHW has grossed more overseas.
Em brought me here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QmvBvq6CPQ share
@LLOwens
Interestingly, although HR has grossed much more domestically than Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, BLLHW has grossed more overseas.
No big surprise there-----overseas audiences have no problem watching films(either U.S. or foreign) that don't fit the usual Hollywood template at all. Another war film that only came out on Dec 2, but that's barely gotten any promotion at all, is called MAN DOWN, starring Shia LeBeouf as a soldier dealing with PTSD after surviving a war. Last time I looked, it had opened in only 2 or 3 theatres in my area----too bad, because it also sounded interesting too.
I always have to laugh when I read that, basically, US audiences are unsophisticated and gravitate to spectacle and cinematic comfort food. You ain't wrong, but this is not a uniquely American tendency. Look at the top grossing films in pretty much any country, from any year. You'll see a lot of Hobbits, aliens, CGI, explosions, Smurfs, etc. You won't find a lot of art films or anything designed to make anyone feel "uncomfortable."
Apparently the Finns really enjoyed Angry Birds. Brazil's top four in 2016: Captain America: Civil War, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Finding Dory. South Africa's looks almost the same, but swap Central Intelligence for Captain America. China's box-office is dominated by escapist fare. And so on.
It would seem that the world outside US borders is not in fact filled with seekers of Art, Beauty and Truth. For the most part, it's kiss kiss, bang bang, just like it is here.
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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.
I'm surprised no-one has pointed out that a huge part of Billy Lynn's pre-release hype was the stunning, boundary-busting technology used to film it . . but then hardly anyone could actually see it in the way intended.
Personally, that's exactly why I didn't see during it's theatrical run (if you can even call it a "run"). I'm always looking for unique presentation; some reason for me to schlep my butt to the multiplex as opposed to just waiting for the blu-ray. I need a reason to pay $80 for my family to see a movie in a theater. I saw the Hobbit films in HFR and was glad I did even though apparently everyone else in the world was moaning about it. I saw The Hateful Eight in 70mm. For "big" franchise fare, if IMAX is an option, I'm taking it. It's worth it to me to see a spectacle in a way I can't get at home.
So when I read BLLHW was being shot in 120 fps/3D/4K, I was ready to buy my tickets. Except, oops, exactly TWO theaters in the US (and SIX in the whole bleedin' world) can actually project the film in the format. Well, that's just ducky. Look, Ang Lee, I give you credit for pushing the envelope, but what's the point in telling me about some awesome new visual experience and then telling me "But you'll never get to see it"?
The visual experience was the lure for me; the movie itself sounds like just another movie I can rent from Redbox if my first few choices aren't available.
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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.
It looked like blatant propaganda.
shareThe reason is obvious and I support the opinion of another person who has already
commented, as I quote below. The film is anti American trash and this production is just trying to show what bastards American soldiers are.
"everyone who supports the Iraq War is shown as a simpleton, civilians who don't seem to care either way are shown as brutes and the soldiers of Bravo are shown to be immature, undisciplined and extremely rude, especially for troops on a public relations tour. In fact, several things that happen in this movie would have landed people in jail, but are instead just glossed over as no big deal.
This movie is likely to offend soldiers, their families, anyone who supports the troops, even people who oppose U.S. military action overseas and anyone who has ever worked in Hollywood, for an NFL team or in an NFL stadium. Furthermore, with few exceptions (such as Alwyn), the acting is shaky, the set pieces are unprofessional and the movie says nothing new or insightful about the American wars of the 21st century. If you'd like to see a recent war movie that IS realistic, inspiring, original, well-written, well-shot and well-acted, check out "Hacksaw Ridge". Best to let Billy Lynn take his "Long Halftime Walk" all by himself."
The movie didn't open in many theaters. I was planning on watching it from before it came out, but it wasn't playing near me, so I ended up not seeing it.
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