A marriage in crisis and $147 million in losses: The pirate movie that ruined a company

In December 1995, Carolco Pictures faced a catastrophic meltdown after the release of Cutthroat Island, a costly film that grossed only $16 million against a $115 million budget. Historian Christopher Clark's notion of melancholic memory is reflected in the company's legacy, which struggled to celebrate its ambition amidst its failure. Critic Tim Robey offers a nuanced perspective on the film in his book Box Office Poison, lauding the performances of Geena Davis and Frank Langella and the unique approach of featuring a female action hero within the patriarchal context of the 1990s. Despite the film's shortcomings, Robey recognizes the effort to revive the pirate subgenre.

Cutthroat Island's colossal failure, grossing merely $16 million against a $115 million budget, marks one of Hollywood's most catastrophic movie flops, overshadowed by its ambitious aim.

Tim Robey's book, Box Office Poison, sheds light on Cutthroat Island, appreciating its action heroine and performances, despite its position as an emblematic film failure of the 90s.

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