Putting on a brave face
CHARLIE’S Angels director Elizabeth Banks (pic) isn’t letting one dismal opening weekend crush her spirits.
The girl-powered action flick starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska as the franchise’s newest class of spies performed well below expectations at the box office upon its release.
Banks, who wrote, directed, produced and stars in the latest instalment, put on a brave face for Twitter recently, defending the project against its poor sales.
“Well, if you’re going to have a flop, make sure your name is on it at least 4x,” the quadruple threat joked. “I’m proud of #Charliesangels and happy it’s in the world.”
Critical reception for the film has been mixed, with The Los Angeles Times’ Kenneth Turan calling its ambition “exemplary” but “the execution nothing to write home about”.
Leading to its release, Banks has been an outspoken champion for the revival and its feminist messages. In addition to spearheading efforts behind the scenes, the Pitch Perfect alum also plays a vital role on screen as Bosley, a former Angel acting as one of Charlie’s agents in his new and improved Townsend Agency.
“I wanted really exceptional women in their fields,” she said ahead of the film’s opening. “That was first. I also wanted to remind people that women can be exceptional in fields that are typically the purview of men. That’s sort of the DNA of Charlie’s Angels in general.”
Charlie’s Angels is the newest take on the iconic crime-fighting trio that began in the original 1976 series, which later spawned cult classic big-screen reboots in the 2000s, starring Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore.
“I felt like we owed a a debt to all of the entire canon,” Banks said.
“I’m proud of the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ legacy, and my Angels are standing on the shoulders of the Angels that came before them.
“Now my hope is that we inspire another filmmaker and another set of Angels in another 10 years.” – Los Angeles Times/ Tribune News
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