5 Film Flops by Great Directors

Renowned directors sometimes make movies that stink. While you probably go into Howard the Duck with your eyes open, these 5 film flops from great directors might take you by surprise.

A Perfect Couple Directed by Robert Altman (1979):

This worst film is not suitable for viewing by people still traumatized by memories of 1970s variety shows. Robert Altman acts and directs in what could have been a touching romance. Unfortunately, over half the time is devoted to lengthy performances by a band worse than Tony Orlando and Dawn. You'll need your mute button for this one.

The Black Dahlia Directed by Brian de Palma (2006):

This jumble of disconnected story lines often ignores the famous 1940s Hollywood murder of its title. One character actually asks if all this has anything to do with that girl's murder. Guess not. Despite the strong violence typical of this great director, this film flop is still richly atmospheric if only it wasn't so incoherent.

Days of Wine and Roses Directed by Blake Edwards (1962):

Alcoholism gets a treatment similar to the excesses of Reefer Madness. I love Jack Lemmon, but this worst film often sounds like a heavy-handed afterschool special. Still, Edwards later disclosed that he and Lemmon were troubled by their own drinking at the time, so it may have been true to their experience. Somehow, superficially similar films like Lost Weekend seem much less dated.

Raising Arizona Directed by Joel Coen (1987):

The Coen brothers should be admired for their courage to experiment so the occasional bomb is worth tolerating, but here Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter are too annoying to endure. Even for child kidnappers, they're so strange that they just sound funny and not in a good way. The Lone Biker of the Apocalypse might have had some potential, but you have to sit through a lot of yelling to get to him.

My Best Friend Directed by Patrice Leconte (2007):

Even the worst film by this brilliant director has many good moments, but it's disappointing overall. Instead of having a mature conversation about his lack of personal relationships, one business partner plays a prolonged prank on the other to make the point. It's just not as profound as the better works of this renowned director.

These great directors have made many outstanding films, but these movies stink. Just don't let these film flops keep you from enjoying all their masterpieces.