Why wasn't I Heart Huckabees a successful movie?

[Rockzilla]

Last night I couldn't sleep and did what I usually do when insomnia rears its ugly head, went to the all-night video store. The movie chick reccomended I rent I Heart Huckabees which I had never heard of before and I thought it was hilarious. A very Wes Anderson seeming flick in line with The Royal Tennenbaums and Rushmore(same guy). I was surprised I hadn't heard of the movie since it had big name actors (Dustin Hoffman, Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg) and was very original. Does anybody else agree that this one of the best movies nobodies ever heard of or am I smoking crack?

 

[0roo0roo]

pretentious philosobabble u'd get from a first year philosophy student. was horrible.

 

[cirrhosis]

Because the primary moviegoing audience lacks sufficient intelligence to grasp psuedo-intellectual philosophical films?

Or because a comedy film about existentialism isn't that appealing to certain people.

 

[K1052]

Limited appeal outside the more sophisticated large urban area audiences.

Look for yourself: http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2004/HUCKB.php

As the number of runs increase the per theatre gross goes into the crapper.

 

[Rockzilla]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
pretentious philosobabble u'd get from a first year philosophy student. was horrible.

I didn't think the whole life perspective issue was meant to be taken seriously. I thought that was part of the humor IMHO. I not sure of any schools of philosophy that entertain the idea of hitting eachother with rubber balls to try and stop feeling. When it was over I don't think any great life lessons were learned but Mark Wahlberg arguing with the little girl at the dinner table "Jesus is never mad at us if we live with Him in our hearts!"
"I hate to break it to you, but He is - He most definitely is." was very funny.

 

[Gibson486]

I liked the movie, but my gf fell asleep while watching it.....

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

because it sucked.

 

[nakedfrog]

I think it's because of the stupid title. I'll watch it one of these days, though.

 

[AbsolutDealage]

It was OK. It was pretty funny, but overall it really didn't do much for me. I have no desire to own the DVD, either.

 

[0roo0roo]

put it this way. the script writer was probably baked out of his frickin mind. that would probably explain the film.

 

[l Xes l]

it sucked ass

 

[meltdown75]

Mark Wahlberg was hilarious in it... there were some funny moments but overall it just wasn't my type of movie.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
put it this way. the script writer was probably baked out of his frickin mind. that would probably explain the film.

I concur with your point, but I'm not sure that's why it didn't do well.

1. The title made it sound like a chick flick for jr. high girls. And you can't help but sound retarded saying it.
2. It had an artsy, independent feel to it. People hate movies that are smarter than them.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I thought this was a decent film, but kind of a mediocre Charlie Kaufman wannabe. Anyone who liked I Heart Huckabees should see Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for a much better, similar type of film.

 

[Rockzilla]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I thought this was a decent film, but kind of a mediocre Charlie Kaufman wannabe. Anyone who liked I Heart Huckabees should see Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for a much better, similar type of film.

I would agree with you that both of those are better flicks but I had never even heard of this movie which is what I found odd.

 

[PatboyX]

it was pretty funny. not a great movie but he pretty much always produces solid films.
three kings, for exampel, is a good little film but its certainly not a huge hit.
i think calling him a "wannabe" anyone else is absurd. he isnt trying to do anything he cant.

 

[CChaos]

As the Bard pointed out all those years ago, "The masses are asses..."