Uma Thurman's Career Needs a 'Bill' Boost

By Mike Ryan Posted Apr 2nd 2010 10:33AM

Maybe Uma Thurman should finally take David Letterman up on his 1995 offer to meet Oprah Winfrey -- at this point, considering her latest film's box-office numbers, it couldn't hurt. 'Motherhood' opened this past weekend in the UK and made around $130 at the box office. Now, to be clear about a couple of things: That wasn't a typo where we forgot to add the word "million" at the end of $130. And, we know what you're also thinking: That we didn't convert the exchange rate from pounds to dollars. We did. Thurman's film, measured in pounds, actually made £88. The saddest part is that on it's debut day, 'Motherhood' made £9. The average price to see a movie in the UK appears to be £7 to £10, which means, yes, one lone person went to see it on day one. This begs a few questions: First, who is the mysterious, lone, brave, British moviegoer? Second, are movie ticket prices really that expensive in the UK? Nine pounds ($13.71)? Egads! And why, if Miss Thurman can be so butt-kickingly awesome in Quentin Tarantino movies, has her career been a myriad of near-bombs? After the jump, some theories.

'Motherhood,' which co-stars Anthony Edwards, focuses on the day-to-day hassles of being a mother living in New York ... you know what? It doesn't really matter.

Thurman can take little solace in knowing that 'Motherhood' did slightly better in the U.S., taking in $93,388 at the domestic box office. Which means, at an average ticket price of $10, a little over 9,300 people saw her film. To put that in perspective, 'Motherhood' was seen by about three-tenths of one percent of the people who saw 'Avatar' ... on its opening day.

It's a sad but true moment: Thurman now stars in films that are attended by less people than were actually involved in making them.

Though 'Motherhood' is an exaggerated example, Thurman's recent record at the box office has been suspect, to say the least. Not counting her well-received role as Medusa in 'Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief,' where she was far from the star of the film, she really hasn't had much of a hit since the two 'Kill Bill' films. 'Prime' grossed $22.8 million domestically, and 'The Producers' grossed $19.3 million.

Then there's 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend' -- a film that pretty much destroyed the film careers of everyone associated with it (and which, based on the premise alone, should have been much, much better). Rainn Wilson has yet to -- quite surprisingly -- latch onto much of a film career. Director Ivan Reitman, who directed 'Ghostbusters' and 'Stripes,' has yet to direct a film since. And Luke Wilson is, well ... Luke Wilson can currently be seen throwing postcards across a map of the United States while he explains the reach of AT&T's cellular service.

It can't be all Thurman's fault, and no one doubts her ability as an actress. A lot of factors can combine to produce deadly outcomes at the box office. We asked Stu VanAirsdale of Movieline.com his opinion on Thuman's recent career.

"It's really easy for all of us to get hung up on a star's bad opening or a hard-luck streak, but let's be realistic," VanAirsdale says, "'Motherhood' was a small film that wasn't supposed to burn up the box office. And people wouldn't even show up to a Miley Cyrus movie if the studio didn't promote it. It's biggest value was always on DVD, where it'll do just fine."

VanAirsdale argues that Thurman's not the only star that should think twice about their recent roles.

"Sure, Thurman's choices could be better, but so could Matt Damon's. He's had the biggest studio flop to date in 2010 ['Green Zone'], and he didn't exactly burn up the charts with 'The Informant' last fall. No one's calling him out, though. Throw him in a 'Bourne' film again, though, and he'll be fine. Same with Thurman: Let's revisit this after 'Kill Bill 3.' She'll be fine."

Uma's Infamous 'Kill Bill 1' Fight Scene (WARNING: Lots of blood and violence)

And VanAirsdale warns: Don't be too quick to judge, considering one of her latest roles. "Did you see her as Medusa in 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lighting Thief?' She was the best, campiest, craziest thing about it. Cut her some slack."

Though, if Thurman's box office continues to sink, she might want to take a page from her former co-star, Luke Wilson. Catherine Zeta Jones' reign as T-Mobile spokeswoman can't last forever.

Tags: Motherhood, Quentin Tarantino, uma thurman

Comments

(25)

Friday 02 April

By G.Blank

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Who is Urma Thurman?

By Frank

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Uma's movie, "Motherhood", is pretty good & well worth watching - I suppose the actress deserves the criticism for making a movie not full of sleazy sex & mega violence...

By helas

Believe ir ot not, an actor's career isn't all about the money. Industry types may want to value everything in dollars and cents but for someone like Thurman, an already established star, there are other reasons to act.

By jeanni

I rented this movie a while back. Why did it go to video THEN the theaters? (I do understand that the movie premiere was in England, but still...) I turned it off after 15 minutes. I just couldn't get into it...and that was the kind of movie I normally enjoy. I liked My Super Ex-Girlfriend, though. Kill Bill was definitely her best. Hope she finds another hit soon!

By Brendan

People seem keen to forget that she also played a major role in what is regarded as one of cinema's darkest hours, Batman Forever.

Sunday 04 April

By batfreak

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it was batman and robin and yes it was a dark hour especially with a bald blue shwartzeneeger and a now dead stereroid amped freak to play bane not to mention thurman to whom this concerns being poison ivy a really bad poison ivy joel shwamer shouldnt have made that movie

By valeskas

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I never understood why she was popular.

By groundspeed

Uma, meet Okra. Okra, meet Uma.

By steve

The ONLY woman who could "replace" Diana Rigg in a movie version of The Avengers was Uma Thurman. She actually played the role fabulously, despite the ratings and quality of the movie.
She defines sex appeal!!!

By Kate Asher

OH MAN WHO WANTS TO WATCH A FILM ABOUT MOTHERS OR ABOUT CHILDREN
YAAAAWWWWNNN YOU CAN SEE THEM (MOTHERS AND KIDS) ON THE STREET EVERY DAY AND THEY ALL STINK ! SELF CENTERED LITTLE SNOTS WITH STUPID ARROGANT PARENTS WHO THINK THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND THEM AND THEIR LITTLE SNOTS! BORING GARBAGE!!

By RYAN

Uma thermometer.......not my taste,her eyes could be a couple of centimeters closer together and I heard about that UK opening and the movie making 131 dollars.............very sad.I think its maybe like being a boxer,you must know when to hang up your gloves,is umas day done?

Monday 05 April

By Hmm...

My Super Ex Girlfriend was awesome. I didn't know it was a flop... the theater was full when I saw it :/

By ttrexxx

First of all she needs plastic surgery.I never could understand how such a beastly looking star could get that big.She can't act.KILL BILL I&2..lol.I can't bare to look at her in a movie." WHO LET THE DOGS OUT" woof

By flat top

C'mon, people - is this "flop" such a tragedy? It didn't do well because so many people - cynically bitter Brits, especially - just couldn't relate to the life of Uma's character. I'm sure Uma's doing well with her life, anyway.

By ofalaska

She was great in the Kill Bills. Acting in a coffin is about the smallest stage imaginable and it was a great scene. She needs to take more chances and get rid of the cozy BS again is all. Tarantino, where are you?

By pj

She needs to show those amazing ta ta's again. Have we forgotten how spectacular they were in Dangerous Liasons?

By Dan

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I like Uma, and EVERY movie she makes!! I don't give a damn, what movie critics, say or think!! Movie critics, can't get a REAL JOB, that's why they are "movie critics"!!!!

SIGNED: DANIEL L. BUSHEY

By JTV

to pj: Amazing ta ta's??? You mean those saggy cow breasts?

By Paula Zimmerman

I avoid movies with uma thurman so I think a boost to her career might be as a Barista

By sadie

Guys don't want to see Uma Thurman as a mother of a young kid, they want to see her in other roles. Sorry, Uma, but you are "type casted". Diverge from the type and you won't do well.

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