In the words of a Millennial, just stop your crying it’s the sign of the times…Eventually, Father Time touches all of us. No matter how talented and smart you are, no matter if you were the King of the World or the Queen of the Universe, doesn’t matter…there is always going to be someone younger around the corner and you’ll be sent on your merry way with your pension and legacy that you can admire in your own quiet time.
This is not to say your past accomplishments are any less or that someone is coming to take your accolades, but that’s life. Life has chapters. Life has eras. And for now, in the era of films that people--especially the younger people--want to watch, it’s not intense and depressing films featuring 50 year old men dueling in the Medieval Times. If it were Ben Affleck looking like Jack Ryan (remember the time Affleck was a fit CIA operative?) going after Matt Damon looking like a born again Jason Bourne then we at least have something we can work with.
But I’ll admit, I didn’t watch The Last Duel and I have no idea what the movie is about. I recall seeing the trailer at the theatres and I didn’t care to look up the trailer on YouTube. I just read a bit about the movie's plot and I couldn’t be more bored. An “epic historical drama” featuring a duel between two men after an accusation of rape…yeah I think I’ll pass.
I heard the film did get some good reviews, but a film from back in the times of jousting and knights AND a rape has occurred??? That’s not what the world needs right now. Doesn’t matter if Millennials have short attention spans. I don’t think people want to see a movie that’s such a Debbie Downer.
Ridley Scott’s other film, The House of Gucci, just on the surface, falls into this same off-trend category. The House of Gucci has a superb cast with Lady Gaga, Al Pacino, Adam Driver, Salma Hayek and Jeremy Irons. But just based on the trailer, my initial reaction is at a time when a lot of people are still hurting financially from the pandemic and now with the price of gas and groceries and everything else going up, I don’t think people care to see a movie about a bunch of mega wealthy people fighting over who gets to stay the most mega wealthiest. And to top it off, it’s about a fashion brand that most people would never be able to afford, but may at least admire the designs. And to top it off even more, the movie is based in olden times or at least the trailer doesn’t help with a pop song from a really long time ago.
The movie may be brilliant and the acting may be top notch. But the quality of a film doesn’t necessarily translate into what the people want or what’s timely. You can’t blame Millennials and cell phones for your movies not selling tickets. Movie tickets cost a lot. A lot of people are hurting financially. A lot of people also want to see films that make them smile and excited like Marvel movies.
In all my years of content analysis, I noticed that especially during the pandemic, positive content were always top performers. People are seeking good vibes right now and movies like The Last Duel just ain’t it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to see depressing movies from olden times right now. I want to see thrilling forward moving films with heroes and excitement. That’s why I can’t wait to watch Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Matrix: Resurrections.
This is not to take away from the quality of the movies or the talent behind the movies, but sometimes things don't land or they're trying to make a landing at the wrong time.
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