Trojan War (film)

Last updated
Trojan War
TrojanWar.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by George Huang
Written by
  • Andy Burg
  • Scott Myers
Produced by Charles Gordon
Starring
Cinematography Dean Semler
Edited byEd Marx
Music by George S. Clinton
Production
company
Daybreak
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date
  • September 26, 1997 (1997-09-26)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15 million[ citation needed ]
Box office$309 [1] [2]

Trojan War is a 1997 American teen comedy film directed by George Huang and starring Will Friedle, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Marley Shelton. The film was a critical and box office failure. Produced for $15 million, it made only $309 in ticket sales because it was played at two movie theaters in the United States and was pulled after only a week.

Contents

Plot

High school student Brad has had an unrequited crush on his classmate Brooke for years. After she asks him to come over one night to tutor her, she ends up wanting to have sex with him. But she only wants safe sex, and he does not have a condom. In his quest to buy some condoms, he runs into all sorts of trouble: his dad's sportscar gets stolen and then wrecked, he has a run-in with a crazy bus driver, he is held hostage, he is pursued by a school janitor who accuses him of drawing graffiti, an odd pair of Hispanic siblings who thinks he looks like David Hasselhoff, Brooke's dog, Brooke's jealous boyfriend Kyle, and a homeless man who wants two dollars from him (and has secretly stolen his wallet), and he is arrested.

After all of this and finally receiving a condom from a police officer who releases him, he realizes that the perfect girl has been there for him all along: his best friend Leah, who has had feelings for him for a long time unbeknownst to Brad. Finally, Brad realizes his feelings for Leah while also discovering Brooke is not as great as he thought she was after he finds out that she only wants a one-night stand with him instead of a relationship. Brad runs out to find Leah and professes his feelings to her, and they kiss each other by moonlight.

After the end credits, Brad's parents are shocked by what is left of their car after the tow truck driver brings it back.

Cast

Production

Prior to the film's release, it was noted that there were similarities with its condom plot to another film in development, Booty Call , which featured an all-black cast and which would also be released in 1997. [3] [4] Booty Call was written without knowledge of Trojan War's existence. [4]

Actor Will Friedle was dating co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt at the time, and has also said that his involvement in the film led to him becoming friends with director George Huang. [5]

Release

Trojan War was released in only two theaters in the fall of 1997, and was pulled after a single week. One of the theaters was in Boulder, Colorado, and the only two people in attendance were Friedle and Huang, who had flown out to Colorado. [5] It earned a total of $309 against a production budget of $15 million. [1] As of 2007 it was the fifth lowest-grossing film since modern record keeping began in the 1980s. [6]

Reception

Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club wrote in 2002: "It may be formulaic, predictable and as substantial as a Little Debbie snack cake, but as a loving, inane throwback to the golden age of the Brat Pack and the two Coreys, it's irresistible." [7] Roger Garcia's 2001 book Out of the Shadows: Asians in American Cinema stated that the film was "actually better than it sounds", noting that it "went straight to video and has never been recognized for its delicate comedy of errors." [8] Charles Tatum of efilmcritic had a more negative review in 2005, writing that: "Sometimes, a movie comes along that makes you want to sob, and not in the good way." [9] In his book TLA Film, Video, and DVD Guide 2002-2003, David Bleiler described Trojan War as a "sloppy, hodgepodge of Some Kind of Wonderful and Adventures in Babysitting ", labeling Friedle's character as a "generic cute guy", and Shelton's character as a "generic blonde." [10]

Related Research Articles

<i>Troy</i> (film) 2004 epic historical war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Troy is a 2004 epic historical war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by David Benioff. Produced by units in Malta, Mexico and Britain's Shepperton Studios, the film features an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Saffron Burrows and Orlando Bloom. It is loosely based on Homer's Iliad in its narration of the entire story of the decade-long Trojan War—condensed into little more than a couple of weeks, rather than just the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon in the ninth year. Achilles leads his Myrmidons along with the rest of the Greek army invading the historical city of Troy, defended by Hector's Trojan army. The end of the film is not taken from the Iliad, but rather from Quintus Smyrnaeus's Posthomerica, as the Iliad concludes with Hector's death and funeral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Friedle</span> American actor

William Alan Friedle is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Eric Matthews in the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World (1993–2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leah Rabin</span> Wife of Yitzhak Rabin (1928–2000)

Leah Rabin was the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995.

<i>Booty Call</i> 1997 film by Jeff Pollack

Booty Call is a 1997 American buddy comedy film directed by Jeff Pollack, and written by J. Stanford Parker and Takashi Bufford. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox, and Tamala Jones. It received generally negative reviews.

<i>The Fugitive</i> (1993 film) 1993 film by Andrew Davis

The Fugitive is a 1993 American action thriller film, directed by Andrew Davis with a script co-written by Jeb Stuart and David Twohy, from a previous story draft which Twohy had written. Based on the 1960s television series of the same name which itself is loosely inspired from the trial of Sam Sheppard, the film stars Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas and Jeroen Krabbé.

<i>Arlington Road</i> 1999 film by Mark Pellington

Arlington Road is a 1999 drama film directed by Mark Pellington and starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, and Hope Davis. The film tells the story of a widowed George Washington University professor who suspects his new neighbors are involved in terrorism and becomes obsessed with foiling their terrorist plot. The film was heavily inspired by the growing concern in the 1990s regarding the right-wing militia movement, Ruby Ridge, the Waco siege and Oklahoma City bombing.

<i>For Richer or Poorer</i> 1997 comedy film by Bryan Spicer

For Richer or Poorer is a 1997 American slapstick comedy film directed by Bryan Spicer starring Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley as a New York socialite couple who decide to end their spoiled relationship. The supporting cast includes Jay O. Sanders, Michael Lerner, Wayne Knight, and Larry Miller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marley Shelton</span> American actress (born 1974)

Marley Eve Shelton is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Wendy Peffercorn in David Mickey Evans's coming-of-age comedy The Sandlot (1993), the Customer in Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez's neo-noir anthology film Sin City (2005), Dr. Dakota Block in Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double-feature film Grindhouse (2007), and Sheriff Deputy Judy Hicks in two installments of Wes Craven's Scream franchise (2011–2022). Her other notable films include Pleasantville (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Sugar & Spice (2001), Valentine (2001), Bubble Boy (2001), and Rampage (2018).

George Jay Huang is an American film director, writer, producer, and educator. He is best known for writing and directing the 1994 film Swimming with Sharks. In addition to working on his own films, he also contributes work to other independent filmmakers, including Robert Rodríguez.

<i>Step Up</i> (film) 2006 film by Anne Fletcher

Step Up is a 2006 American teen romantic dance drama film directed by Anne Fletcher from a screenplay by Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg and a story by Adler. The film stars Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew Sidora, Damaine Radcliff, and Rachel Griffiths.

<i>Magic Mike</i> 2012 film by Steven Soderbergh

Magic Mike is a 2012 American comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Matthew McConaughey. The plot revolves around Adam, a 19-year-old college dropout who enters the world of male stripping, guided by Mike Lane, who has been in the business for six years.

Gavin O'Connor is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, and actor. He is best known for directing the films Miracle (2004), Warrior (2011), The Accountant (2016), and The Way Back (2020).

<i>Yitzhak Rabin: A Biography</i> 2004 Israeli TV series or program

Yitzhak Rabin: A Biography is a 2004 two-part documentary film that tells the life story of the former Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Laureate, Yitzhak Rabin. The documentary offers interviews with Rabin's fellow politicians and family members. Their insights along with historic film footage offers a history of modern Israel through Rabin's biography. Part I of Rabin describes Rabin's childhood in Israel, his military service that began at sixteen, and the roots of his rivalry with Shimon Peres. Part II follow the politician from an upsetting lull in his career, to the height of his popularity, ending with his shocking assassination.

<i>Happy Campers</i> (film) 2001 film by Daniel Waters

Happy Campers is a 2001 American black comedy film written and directed by Daniel Waters and starring Brad Renfro, Dominique Swain, Jaime King, Emily Bergl, and Justin Long. The film focuses on a group of college freshmen and their experiences as summer camp counselors at the fictional Camp Bleeding Dove. The film is collectively narrated by each of the subjective counselors. It marks Waters' directorial debut, as well as the film debut of Jaime King.

<i>As the Bell Rings</i> (American TV series) American short television program

As the Bell Rings is a Disney Channel short show based on the Disney Channel Italy series Quelli dell'intervallo. The format was a selection of short live-action comedy sequences. The American version of As the Bell Rings also aired on the Dutch Disney Channel, as well as the Latin American one. The show ended after the second season.

<i>Epsilon</i> (film) 1995 Australian-Italian science fiction film by Rolf de Heer

Epsilon is a 1995 Australian-Italian science fiction film that was directed by Rolf de Heer. It features Ulli Birve and Syd Brisbane. The extended version of the film runs for 92 minutes and was distributed by Miramax in 1997.

<i>Your Sisters Sister</i> 2011 film by Lynn Shelton

Your Sister's Sister is a 2011 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Lynn Shelton and starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Mark Duplass. The film premiered on September 11, 2011, at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was released in the United States on June 15, 2012.

<i>The Anchor Hotel</i> 1997 film

The Anchor Hotel is a 1997 gay pornographic film, directed by Kristen Bjorn. It runs for 115 minutes and features 23 men. This video centers on military sailors who encounter each other in Miami and then have sex in hotel rooms. It is highly praised and honored with awards.

<i>Screw Loose</i> 1999 Italian film

Screw Loose, released as Svitati in Italy, is a 1999 Italian comedy film. It was directed by Ezio Greggio, and written by Rudy De Luca and Steve Haberman. The film stars Greggio along with Mel Brooks and Julie Condra. Filming locations included Monte Carlo and Milan. Produced by Atmosphere Film S.r.l and Wolf Pictures, it was released on 15 February 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">And Then There Was Shawn</span> 17th episode of the 5th season of Boy Meets World

"And Then There Was Shawn" is the seventeenth episode of the fifth season of the television series Boy Meets World, written by Jeff Menell and directed by Jeff McCracken. It premiered on ABC in the United States on February 27, 1998. The episode, a parody of various slasher films, features the cast being stalked by an unknown killer after being trapped in the school during detention. It has been frequently cited as the best episode in the series.

References

  1. 1 2 "Trojan War (1997)". Box Office Mojo .
  2. ↑ "Trojan War (1997) - Financial Information". The Numbers .
  3. ↑ "The 1997 battle of the competing condom movies". December 8, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Gregg Kilday (April 26, 1996). "Similar films". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  5. 1 2 Will Friedle interview, 2023
  6. ↑ Hayes, Dade (4 January 2007). "'Zyzzyx' earns lowest all-time box office". Variety magazine .
  7. ↑ Rabin, Nathan (2002-03-29). "The Trojan War". The A.V. Club .
  8. ↑ Garcia, Roger (2001). Out of the Shadows: Asians in American Cinema. Edizioni Olivares. ISBN   978-88-85982-60-4 . Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  9. ↑ Charles Tatum (2005-10-09). "Mov ie Review - Trojan War". www.efilmcritic.com.
  10. ↑ Bleiler, David (2001). TLA Film, Video, and DVD Guide 2002-2003: The Discerning Film Lover's Guide. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN   978-1-4668-6757-4 . Retrieved 13 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.