Julia Roberts starred in a horror flops that both shocked and surprised critics, but only when they weren’t looking at the movie itself. In the case of Heaven’s Gate, Michael Cimino’s budget overruns and unpredictability were never the focus—because audiences saw the director’s skill. When Sony released Heaven’s Gate in 1996, it wasn’t just a box office hit; it was a quiet triumph for United Artists, who still have a legacy in Hollywood. But then there was Ishtar, where Elaine May’s performance was overshadowed by pre-release buzz. Critics called her acting “overcomplicated,” but she brought a raw emotional depth to the story. Meanwhile, Hudson Hawk faced its own scrutiny, though its brilliance lay elsewhere. If you’re not looking at the film, you’re missing the point entirely.
