Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis has endured a catastrophic box office failure with her latest film, the politically-themed romantic comedy Ella McCay. The movie, which also features Emma Mackey and Woody Harrelson, has delivered one of the worst theatrical openings in Disney's history.
A Historic Box Office Bomb
The film managed to scrape together a paltry $2.1 million in its domestic debut over the weekend. This dismal figure immediately places it among the most disappointing wide releases ever for the storied Disney studio. The project carried a substantial production budget of $35 million, meaning it is now almost certain to lose millions for the studio barring an unlikely, miraculous surge in international ticket sales.
Set against the backdrop of Barack Obama's landmark 2008 presidential election, Ella McCay follows a young Democratic politician, portrayed by Emma Mackey, who unexpectedly becomes the governor of an unnamed American state. The narrative explores her struggle to balance a burgeoning political career with profound family trauma and a complex marriage, all set within the era's atmosphere of optimism.
Scathing Reviews and Public Backlash
Critics have been merciless in their assessment of the James L. Brooks-directed feature. On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the film is languishing at an abysmal 22% approval rating, ranking it as one of the year's most poorly received major releases.
Leading publications have torn the movie apart. Empire magazine's John Nugent branded it "an odd, messy, misjudged shambles," while renowned critic Peter Travers called it a "low point in the career of the legendary James L. Brooks." The Observer's Wendy Ide criticised its "dated tone" and "antediluvian" attitudes towards women in power.
The negativity has spilled over onto social media, where viewers have expressed little surprise at the financial disaster. One user starkly noted that the film's trailer perfectly foreshadowed the terrible box office result.
Curtis's Role and Future Projects
In the film, Jamie Lee Curtis plays Helen McCay, the eccentric and fiercely protective aunt to Mackey's title character. Despite the overwhelming backlash, Curtis has diligently promoted the project in recent weeks.
She attended the Los Angeles premiere at the El Capitan Theatre last Tuesday with her husband, Christopher Guest, 77. Curtis opted for a stylish black leather dress and cardigan combination for the event.
Looking beyond this setback, the actress has several high-profile projects in the pipeline. She is set to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Amazon Prime series Scarpetta and will make a return to her horror roots in the film Sender, which she is also producing.
