Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Hail, Caesar!” will open the 66th Berlin Intl. Film Festival on Feb. 11.
“It’s wonderful that Joel and Ethan Coen are once again opening the Berlinale. Their humor, unique characters and fantastic narrative skill are guaranteed to thrill the audience. ‘Hail, Caesar!’ is the perfect start for the 2016 Berlinale,” festival director Dieter Kosslick said.
In 1998, the Coen Brothers’ comedy “The Big Lebowski” played in the Berlinale competition program, and their Western “True Grit” opened the festival in 2011.
Long Range Forecast: 'Hail, Caesar!', 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies', & 'The Choice'
Hail, Caesar! (Universal)
PROS:
- With the success of films such as 2007's No Country for Old Men, 2008's Burn After Reading and 2010's True Grit, The Coen Brothers have established a larger following over the past decade, while still remaining critical favorites.
- The film has a very strong ensemble cast that includes Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill.
- Clooney has been an especially consistent draw at the box office when it comes to his films aimed at adult moviegoers.
CONS:
- Opening over Super Bowl weekend is especially tough for films aimed at adult audiences. As mentioned, that should lead to additional back-loading for Hail, Caesar!
- The film's setting in 1950s Hollywood could prove to be a tough sell for today's audiences. Teens in particular are likely to choose either Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or The Choice instead.
Check out our complete long range forecast in the table below Hail, Caesar!
When it comes to an original project like this, from film makers such as the Coens, I've found it's best to completely ignore trailers and marketing materials. What I have seen of this, reminds me more of The Grand Budapest Hotel than something traditionally by the Coens.
The way I see it, I already know what's going to happen in something like Spider-Man 10, with Hail, Caesar anything could happen in the film. The Coens aren't beholden to cliches or sequels that come out three months later.
Posted: 25 Nov 2015, 10:45
