It's rare that one single movie would be the most regretful installment in the filmographies of so many people, but The Bonfire of the Vanities is just that universally disliked. It's odd, because it's not an offensively terrible movie (it even opens with one of the greatest tracking shots in film history). Instead, it's a movie that everyone thought would succeed, a film with a huge budget, helmed by the great Brian De Palma and featuring major stars like Tom Hanks, Melanie Griffith, Bruce Willis, Kim Cattrall, Morgan Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, and F. Murray Abraham.
The film is based on an acclaimed novel by Tom Wolfe, so what went wrong? According to most people, it all came down to casting. Nobody was right for their part, except perhaps Melanie Griffith, who delivered a standout performance. Even the cast and filmmaker have acknowledged the film's shortcomings over the years. Tom Hanks, for instance, bluntly described it as 'one of the crappiest movies ever made.'
In a reflective interview, Hanks shared that despite the film's failure, the experience was valuable. He mentioned how the movie garnered significant attention and how it taught him about the core connection needed in filmmaking. Morgan Freeman, who played Judge Leonard White in the film, also expressed his doubts about the movie's potential success, criticizing the casting decisions.
Bruce Willis, who portrayed Peter Fallow, an acclaimed New York writer in the film, labeled it as 'stillborn' and criticized the media's preconceived notions about the movie. He defended the casting choices and storytelling, emphasizing the subjective nature of film criticism.
Despite its flaws, nearly 25 years later, The Bonfire of the Vanities remains a peculiar moment in cinematic history. While it may not have lived up to expectations, the film still offers entertainment value. It stands as a reminder of the challenges in adapting intellectual literary works into blockbuster films.
For those curious to experience this infamous movie, it is available for rental or purchase on various digital platforms like YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.
Watch Bonfire of the Vanities
