I’m looking for those specific films where you read the 1-star reviews and think, "Yeah, they’re right about everything," but you still love the movie because it provides something you can’t get anywhere else.
My personal hill to die on is 2005’s Elizabethtown.
The critics were absolutely right: the premise is absurd. Orlando Bloom plays a "superstar sneaker designer" (alright…) who creates a shoe called the "Spasmodica" (what??) that is so notoriously bad it literally destroys a Nike-level multinational corporation. It's laughable. On top of that, Bloom proves he can’t act his way out of a paper bag; he’s truly wooden as he heads to Kentucky for a funeral.
The logic is thin, the lead is weak, and the plot is messy. And yet, I love it. It touches my heart in a way no other film does. Specifically, the scene where Kirsten Dunst tells him he "failed" over and over again hits a very specific chord for me. In spite of all the very valid reasons it's a "bad" movie, I need what it’s giving.
What is that movie for you? The one where the story is broken and the acting is subpar, but you’ll defend your love for it anyway?
by Decabet
23 Comments
**TENET**
Waterworld
I wouldn’t argue with anyone that thinks it’s all the things people say about it but I really enjoy that movie. It’s got that classic big summer movie feel and the premise is really interesting. Every time I watch it I consider different aspects of the world building and sets. I love it.
Avatar
I’ll tell you one thing, for me it is not “Elizabethtown.”
Phantom Menace. The prequels are a complete mess from top to bottom, yet pod racing, Darth Maul and the soundtrack are just too good.
Us
EDIT: ok not the “woke” criticisms but like that critiques of the plot and the world building
Best of the Best.
Probably Weird Science. I unironically enjoy the heck out of that movie, but there’s no bad thing you could say to me about it that I don’t think I’d readily back you on.
Prometheus.
Love Actually. yes, it’s too long and convoluted and everyone is borderline insufferable. but i love it!!!
It’s loud to the point of being disorienting, chockfull of hamfisted symbolism and metaphors, and is essentially a series of music videos but I love Ken Russell’s Tommy.
The adaption of The Who’s rock opera has a cast of including Jack Nicholson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Ann-Margret, and members of The Who including their lead singer Roger Daltrey as Tommy.
It’s largely fallen into obscurity today when it used to be a VHS in every record shop.
The Boondock Saints. Fight me.
I agree with you on Elizabethtown. I appreciate your candor, because I’ve been embarrassed about my love for it. I understand that it’s a hot mess, but it speaks to me on a certain level.
Sort of The Fountain for me.
Absolutely adore that movie, one of my all-timers, but I get why it has like a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores tend to be better though.
I don’t necessarily *agree* with all the criticism, especially from people who misinterpreted the plot, but I get why it’s generally so divisive.
I do think it should be up for a critical reappraisal 20 years later though.
Disney’s *The Black Hole *
Southland tales
Scott pilgrim vs the world
Phantom Menace
Solo
Prometheus
Alien Covenant
Donnie Darko – younger me was enamored by the complexities that older me rolls her eyes at, but I will always fuckin’ love that movie no matter what
Hot Dog: The Movie
Kangaroo Jack
Afflecks ‘Daredevil’. The story sucks, the writing is so dumb, and it’s so dated but I love all of that about it. I saw it in the theater and it reminds me of when we weren’t so jaded about super hero movies. Also the soundtrack rules.
Winnie the Pooh Blood and Honey