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Is "Gigli" Really the Worst Movie Ever?
Aired August 01, 2003 - 15:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP -- "GIGLI")
BEN AFFLECK, ACTOR: I'm sorry. Do we know each other?
JENNIFER LOPEZ, ACTRESS: Not yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's out, and the critics are having a field day. Everyone's talking about this movie, but who really knows how to say the name of the mobster flick starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck?
Well, here's some help for you. It's Italian. The movie makers say and pronounce is as "jzhee-lee." That's right, jzhee-lee, no "g" in the middle there. It might help to remember that it rhymes with "squealy."
OK. So now you know how to say it, but does it matter with reviews like this? "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" calls "Gigli" a "pile of manure" while "The New York Times" says it's a hopelessly misconceived exercise in self-worship. And, ladies, chew on this: "Affleck had more chemistry with Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting,'" at least according to "USA Today."
So, what's up? Is "Gigli" really the worst movie of the century, as "The wall Street Journal" review says? Well here to put this one in historical perspective, Richard Roeper of "Ebert and Roeper", also of "The Chicago Sun Times." Oh boy. You're giving it a major thumbs down, aren't you?
RICHARD ROEPER, "EBERT & ROEPER": Well, Kyra, first of all, calling it a pile of manurer is an insult to manurer everywhere. I don't know why anybody would say such a thing about manurer, that's such an insult.
The worst movie of the century, I guess it depends on what century we're talking about. This is an unbelievably, amazingly, awful film. from the very first frame to the very end. Jennifer and Ben pay playing the two least believable hitmen in movie history. She's a lesbian, he's a meathead. And they capture a guy who's doing a bad imitation of Rainman. And they ride around in a convertible with him because that's a good way to keep hostage out of the public eye, right?
And there's a moment where Jennifer Lopez's lesbian lover shows up and slits her wrist, and I actually envied that woman at that point.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: You're hoping it ended. OK. So what went wrong here? What happened? Is it the writing? The director? These are two huge stars.
ROEPER: Yes, and they've been in pretty good movies in the past. Both Ben and Jennifer have done some pretty good performances. And this movie is done by Martin Breast who has written and directed movies like "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Midnight Run."
You know it takes truly talented people to make a memorably awful movie, not just something that's kind of bad. And the script is terrible here. The acting is over the top. Christopher Walken shows up for one scene, Al Pacino shows up for one scene. I think they thought they were in a different movie. And they disappeared because they got smart and realized they didn't want any part of this thing.
PHILLIPS: All right, we asked you to put together your own little list here of historically bad movies. And this is the list that we came up with. All right, "Gigli" you've got at the top of your list, now. "Swept Away," it obviously got swept away because I don't remember it.
ROEPER: That was the Madonna film directed by her husband, Guy Richie. And that was another film where it was just so awful you couldn't believe it. At one point Madonna is thrown overboard and I was voting for the sharks to show up and put her out of our misery.
PHILLIPS: "Charlie's Angels." You didn't like this one? Come on. Hot chicks doing kung fu moves?
ROEPER: I hate the "Charlie's Angels" movies, both of them. It's movies directed by "Maxim" magazine. And when Drew Barrymore with her little lisp says, I'm going to just kick everybody so hard, it's just -- it's cartoon nonsense.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: "The Sweetest Thing"?
ROEPER: Yes, "The Sweetest Thing." That's another Cameron Diaz movie. That's where they decided to have three women do a grossout movie like the guys do. And this is a movie that's unspeakably vile to watch, a lot of disgusting toilet humor. There's a scene where Cameron Diaz actually gets attacked by a urinal.
PHILLIPS: Oh, that's -- brilliant.
All right, any Pauly Shore movie. You don't like Pauly Shore?
ROEPER: No, and I think Americans agree with me on that. he served me my coffee about a half hour ago.
PHILLIPS: He does kind of get on your nerves, doesn't he? ROEPER: Yes, he kind of does, yes.
PHILLIPS: All right. Now. Finally, "American Wedding." You've got "Freddie Got Fingered" on there, "Arthur 2: On the Rocks." We won't even go there. "Freddie Got Fingered," what's up with the title? Hello?
But anyway, "American Wedding." These were pretty big hits prior to this one. You think this one's going to be a flop?
ROEPER: No, I actually like the "American Wedding" movie. The "American Pie" movies are an example of grossout films that actually have a little bit of humor and intelligence, and actually some likable characters. So it's kind of surprising to see that "American Wedding" is still pretty good, and the "American Pie" franchise has been worth three movies.
PHILLIPS: All right, so what movie would you go see tomorrow? It's the weekend. I need a date idea.
ROEPER: Well, I don't know if I'd see anything that's opening this weekend. If I haven't seen -- if you haven't seen something like "Whale Rider" which is really one of the most inspirational movies of the year, "Finding Nemo" of course is a terrific family film. I mean there's some good movies out there to be found. Stay away from these major films that are opening, especially "Gigli." Wait till "Gigli" come out on DVD and rent it one day if you're in the mood for unintentional laughs.
PHILLIPS: And a lot of alcohol.
All right, Jen and Ben. Are they going to survive this?
ROEPER: Well, you know, they got another movie coming out next year called "Jersey Girl" directed by Kevin Smith who's done some pretty neat stuff.
I think they'll survive this, but I'd love to go to the movies with them right now and watch them watching audiences watch this.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Maybe they'll just sit there and make out.
ROEPER: Well, you know, she was making mac and cheese for him in the kitchen on that special a couple weeks ago, so I know they still have a lot of love for each other.
PHILLIPS: Ah, Richard Roeper, we got a lot of love for you. Thank you so much.
ROEPER: Thanks, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 1, 2003 - 15:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP -- "GIGLI")
BEN AFFLECK, ACTOR: I'm sorry. Do we know each other?
JENNIFER LOPEZ, ACTRESS: Not yet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: It's out, and the critics are having a field day. Everyone's talking about this movie, but who really knows how to say the name of the mobster flick starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck?
Well, here's some help for you. It's Italian. The movie makers say and pronounce is as "jzhee-lee." That's right, jzhee-lee, no "g" in the middle there. It might help to remember that it rhymes with "squealy."
OK. So now you know how to say it, but does it matter with reviews like this? "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" calls "Gigli" a "pile of manure" while "The New York Times" says it's a hopelessly misconceived exercise in self-worship. And, ladies, chew on this: "Affleck had more chemistry with Matt Damon in 'Good Will Hunting,'" at least according to "USA Today."
So, what's up? Is "Gigli" really the worst movie of the century, as "The wall Street Journal" review says? Well here to put this one in historical perspective, Richard Roeper of "Ebert and Roeper", also of "The Chicago Sun Times." Oh boy. You're giving it a major thumbs down, aren't you?
RICHARD ROEPER, "EBERT & ROEPER": Well, Kyra, first of all, calling it a pile of manurer is an insult to manurer everywhere. I don't know why anybody would say such a thing about manurer, that's such an insult.
The worst movie of the century, I guess it depends on what century we're talking about. This is an unbelievably, amazingly, awful film. from the very first frame to the very end. Jennifer and Ben pay playing the two least believable hitmen in movie history. She's a lesbian, he's a meathead. And they capture a guy who's doing a bad imitation of Rainman. And they ride around in a convertible with him because that's a good way to keep hostage out of the public eye, right?
And there's a moment where Jennifer Lopez's lesbian lover shows up and slits her wrist, and I actually envied that woman at that point.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: You're hoping it ended. OK. So what went wrong here? What happened? Is it the writing? The director? These are two huge stars.
ROEPER: Yes, and they've been in pretty good movies in the past. Both Ben and Jennifer have done some pretty good performances. And this movie is done by Martin Breast who has written and directed movies like "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Midnight Run."
You know it takes truly talented people to make a memorably awful movie, not just something that's kind of bad. And the script is terrible here. The acting is over the top. Christopher Walken shows up for one scene, Al Pacino shows up for one scene. I think they thought they were in a different movie. And they disappeared because they got smart and realized they didn't want any part of this thing.
PHILLIPS: All right, we asked you to put together your own little list here of historically bad movies. And this is the list that we came up with. All right, "Gigli" you've got at the top of your list, now. "Swept Away," it obviously got swept away because I don't remember it.
ROEPER: That was the Madonna film directed by her husband, Guy Richie. And that was another film where it was just so awful you couldn't believe it. At one point Madonna is thrown overboard and I was voting for the sharks to show up and put her out of our misery.
PHILLIPS: "Charlie's Angels." You didn't like this one? Come on. Hot chicks doing kung fu moves?
ROEPER: I hate the "Charlie's Angels" movies, both of them. It's movies directed by "Maxim" magazine. And when Drew Barrymore with her little lisp says, I'm going to just kick everybody so hard, it's just -- it's cartoon nonsense.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: "The Sweetest Thing"?
ROEPER: Yes, "The Sweetest Thing." That's another Cameron Diaz movie. That's where they decided to have three women do a grossout movie like the guys do. And this is a movie that's unspeakably vile to watch, a lot of disgusting toilet humor. There's a scene where Cameron Diaz actually gets attacked by a urinal.
PHILLIPS: Oh, that's -- brilliant.
All right, any Pauly Shore movie. You don't like Pauly Shore?
ROEPER: No, and I think Americans agree with me on that. he served me my coffee about a half hour ago.
PHILLIPS: He does kind of get on your nerves, doesn't he? ROEPER: Yes, he kind of does, yes.
PHILLIPS: All right. Now. Finally, "American Wedding." You've got "Freddie Got Fingered" on there, "Arthur 2: On the Rocks." We won't even go there. "Freddie Got Fingered," what's up with the title? Hello?
But anyway, "American Wedding." These were pretty big hits prior to this one. You think this one's going to be a flop?
ROEPER: No, I actually like the "American Wedding" movie. The "American Pie" movies are an example of grossout films that actually have a little bit of humor and intelligence, and actually some likable characters. So it's kind of surprising to see that "American Wedding" is still pretty good, and the "American Pie" franchise has been worth three movies.
PHILLIPS: All right, so what movie would you go see tomorrow? It's the weekend. I need a date idea.
ROEPER: Well, I don't know if I'd see anything that's opening this weekend. If I haven't seen -- if you haven't seen something like "Whale Rider" which is really one of the most inspirational movies of the year, "Finding Nemo" of course is a terrific family film. I mean there's some good movies out there to be found. Stay away from these major films that are opening, especially "Gigli." Wait till "Gigli" come out on DVD and rent it one day if you're in the mood for unintentional laughs.
PHILLIPS: And a lot of alcohol.
All right, Jen and Ben. Are they going to survive this?
ROEPER: Well, you know, they got another movie coming out next year called "Jersey Girl" directed by Kevin Smith who's done some pretty neat stuff.
I think they'll survive this, but I'd love to go to the movies with them right now and watch them watching audiences watch this.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Maybe they'll just sit there and make out.
ROEPER: Well, you know, she was making mac and cheese for him in the kitchen on that special a couple weeks ago, so I know they still have a lot of love for each other.
PHILLIPS: Ah, Richard Roeper, we got a lot of love for you. Thank you so much.
ROEPER: Thanks, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
