The Greatest Showman #758 - Sudden Emergence
Early December is a delicate time. Thanksgiving is ahead, Christmas is just around the corner, and awards season is in full swing.
This period is both lively and deserted. After the success of franchises like Harry Potter and Twilight, film companies have tried to tap into this time frame, but the results are unpredictable. It's like Duan Yu's Six Pulse Divine Sword—often underwhelming, with no guaranteed outcome.
The first week of December 2011 was a quiet one.
Three weeks earlier, Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part 1) had premiered. Amidst criticism, it posted a record-high $138 million, reaffirming the massive power of fan-driven films. However, its second week saw a staggering 70% drop in box office numbers, cooling down the excitement almost overnight.
Following that, Anti-Cancer Me was the only new release, with a modest $8 million budget. The North American box office felt like a ghost town—empty, abandoned, and eerily silent.
Lionsgate Pictures had planned this release strategically, aiming for the neutral space. And it worked. Even the typical awards-season films were absent from the schedule, leaving Anti-Cancer Me as the only notable film.
Despite the quiet atmosphere, no one could predict what would follow. The premiere of Anti-Cancer Me at Lincoln Center ignited a wave of excitement comparable to the Twilight premiere, quickly gaining momentum. Online news buzz exceeded Breaking Dawn, creating a frenzy that spread rapidly into early December.
Critical Reviews:
Washington Post (91 points): "A film with such a theme could easily fall into clichés, but Anti-Cancer Me avoids that trap, delivering a lighthearted comedy that leaves audiences reflecting on life. The ending may be too Hollywood, but it's rooted in the writer's real experience—who can complain?"
Variety (88 points): "Focusing on illness, this film shows delicate care, refusing to oversimplify pain while also not exaggerating it. Renly Hall is the heart of the movie!"
Los Angeles Times (88 points): "A simple film that achieves what it sets out to do—make the audience laugh and reflect on life."
US Weekly (88 points): "Every plot twist is familiar, but it works. You'll laugh, cry, and be moved. Most importantly, you'll love it."
The New York Times (83 points): "Fantastic performances, especially from Renly Hall. The film strikes a balance between grim reality and light humor."
Vanity Fair (80 points): "A comedy with laughter and tears, Renly Hall's performance shines, preventing the film from falling into routine."
Seattle Post (80 points): "Renly Hall's performance feels authentic, capturing both the anger and helplessness that come with illness."
The movie earned praise from 33 positive reviews, and only eight moderate reviews, giving Anti-Cancer Me a tone of critical acclaim. The success of its premiere, combined with glowing reviews, swept away the past month's stagnation in the North American market and gave rise to a new contender.
Box Office Success:
Anti-Cancer Me quickly climbed the ranks, becoming the talk of the season. The combined media reviews generated a score of 80 points—on par with Juno's 81. This ignited even more discussion, propelling the movie into the spotlight.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film garnered 188 reviews, a remarkable number for a premiere film. It achieved an outstanding 96% freshness rating, making it the most praised commercial film of the fall and holiday season.
Audience reactions matched the critics, with a popcorn score of 89% and an "A-" grade from theaters. The film's rating on IMDb soared to 8.4, a remarkable achievement given its early release.
While the film's vote count was still too small to rank in the top lists, its score of 8.4 marked a rare milestone for any film. It's the highest score Renly Hall has achieved, surpassing previous works like Buried Alive and Crazy in Love.
Unexpected Success:
Everyone had assumed that the first week of December would be uneventful—just an $8 million standalone film in an otherwise quiet period. However, Anti-Cancer Me defied all expectations, becoming a surprise hit. Its success even began to rival Twilight in terms of impact, though Breaking Dawn appealed primarily to a teenage audience. Anti-Cancer Me was a universal comedy with a heartwarming message of perseverance in the face of illness.
The holiday spirit, still fresh from Thanksgiving, made the film a perfect family viewing choice. Christmas was not yet in full swing, and Anti-Cancer Me offered a much-needed escape with its blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling.
In the end, what seemed like a dead week turned into one of the most exciting and unexpected moments of the season. The most deserted schedule had become the most lively weekend.