MovieChat Forums > The Dead Girl (2007) Discussion > Revenues made outside of the US. Not har...

Revenues made outside of the US. Not hard to see why.


Based on all the other discussions it is not hard to see why it made most of it's money outside of the US. It has no happy ending. It doesn't have to but for US audiences (in the main) it does. It has no spectacular action sequences and its not based on a comic book (very much in vogue). It is not an animated film nor are there uses of CGI. It is an honest film that doesn't provide you with any form of escapism but at the same time is absorbing requiring at times an attention span longer than a minute.

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...or, maybe the movie was as dull as you.

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I completely understand the OP. For example I have catered many events. Some include both Europeans and Americans. It can be frustrating and nearly impossible to make everyone happy at these functions. That is because the Americans consistently eat about 6 times (or more) as fast as the Europeans, who take time to savor every bite...laying down their fork and knife before eventually cutting another bite. Eating is a major event for them, one they do not rush. The Americans are often done with their salad, frustratingly waiting the next course as the Europeans make their way through every course slowly, paying attention to what they are tasting. Of course in major catering events, half the room cannot be served the next dish, while the other half is still midway through one. Even the chefs become upset because they are afraid that the entree will become cold or dry before it is served.
Ok...I used this as an example obviously, to make a point. Movies like this have a lot of subtleties that are completely missed by many people. I had to have my eyes opened to several things about this movie by someone who savored the art and almost hidden nuances in a lot of scenes. When I went back and watched it again with new eyes I couldn't believe some of the things that had escaped me. In fact I had to rewind several parts a few times to believe what I was seeing. No one, besides this person had noticed them, and I was told to watch it with my eyes really open. Of course, I wanted more info on what to look for, and practically had it spoon-fed to me. It is truly a "thinking person's" movie. One where the art in each segment is like a tiny diorama filled with hidden objects that you have to look at long enough to capture. I could not believe the things that had gone straight over my head!
They only showed it in theaters here for two weeks on purpose. It requires an audience that takes things and ponders them. Also....The actors are top notch. In every segment there are award winning (sometimes academy award) actors. I imagine they knew what they were making, and were willing to take drastic pay cuts to be a part of this art. If you come home very tired and want to be entertained,in order to relax.... this is probably not the movie to watch, at least at that time. And it will not be everyone's cup of tea. But, once I realized all the things my eyes had passed over the first time, the movie was anything but dull. I came away from it forever (so far:) thinking about some parts. This movie ended up fascinating me long after watching it.....the second time through with a different set of eyes. (I am not going to say what was pointed out to me, because some may want to work this puzzle by themselves). In the midst of what seems is obviously wrapped up once we see the killers face....there are so many other stories within each story.

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Virtually all movies make more money outside the US. Nothing unusual about that. Yet the even crazier statement you make is that all movies must have a happy ending for US audiences. There are way too many movies to possibly count that have performed extremely well in the US despite a not-so-happy ending, including some of the highest-ranked films of all time. Braveheart, Gladiator and Se7en ring any bells?

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