If money were the only measure in determining success, Natalie Portman should have all the accolades for her role in “Star Wars” as Padme. It was, after all, the highest-grossing movie of the decade. But she had none of it. In fact, she thinks that even though it got her name out there in the universal marquee, she unfairly got branded as a bad actress.
She feels that she was too young for such a huge role, and it stymied her performance and limited her success. What’s important is that she’s learned from it, and is now known for more mature, deeper roles. Her haunting performance in “Black Swan” certainly won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Roberto Benigni’s Pinocchio
In 1997, Roberto Benigni’s "Life Is Beautiful", re-opened our eyes to the horrors of WWII, portraying it in a way that is so simple, it is hauntingly clear, the message is unmistakable. Roberto Benigni became a beloved directorial icon.
People looked forward to his next film, which he withheld for five long years, making it the most awaited film of 2002. Benigni’s following creation was a live-action Pinocchio adaptation. Unfortunately, his ambitious project proved anti-climactic. The screening itself was not released to the press in advance, leaving it with an unheard-of 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it has clawed its way up since then, it still occupies the lowest echelons of the review aggregator site.
Bruce Willis in Precious Cargo
Bruce Willis has become synonymous with all-out-action, especially after his Die Hard franchise. What makes him interesting, is his ability to mix in some humor in all the thrill, even while being shot at and surrounded by villains.
But, in "Precious Cargo" reviewers found his performance flat and boring. The movie got only 1 star on Roger Ebert's website. Perhaps, he merely needs to be inspired once more and not get too content with past achievements. It can tarnish a legacy.
Too Much Baggage for Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone’s personality perfectly fits her role in the movie "Clueless", which was a surprise hit at the time. Silverstone had every reason to celebrate and her continued rise to fame seemed in order.
That’s what the movie "Excess Baggage" was supposed to achieve. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect, practically killing her career. It turned out to be filled with cliches, and the story itself was poorly thought out and trite. Both Silverstone and Benicio Del Toro received infamous Razzie awards for their efforts.
Babies and Vin Diesel Don’t Mix
Some writers get too creative for their own good, especially when they try too hard to come up with something entirely different for an upcoming movie. The miss-match created in "The Pacifier" was supposed to be humorous, in an odd way. A pairing of irresistibly cute babies with the muscular, action-ready militiaman, a cool undercover US Navy Seal.
While the unexpected can often result in spontaneous laughter, the effect in "The Pacifier" was terrible. A parent even posted a review saying that their kids were so bored, and didn’t even laugh once during the whole movie. It got an average rating of 3% on Rotten Tomatoes, but more reviews reveal it could have been much worse.