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- The Postman Plot and Cast
- The Postman Was a Flop at the Box Office
- Is The Postman Worth a Watch?
As a cinephile who has witnessed the rise and fall of many a Hollywood icon, I must say that “The Postman” is a film that truly stands out, not just for its epic scope and ambitious storytelling, but also for its remarkable journey from critical drubbing to cult classic status.
2024 hasn’t been an easy year for Kevin Costner. His latest production, “Horizon: An American Saga,” faced difficulties at the box office and was met with a mix of negative feedback from both viewers and critics upon its streaming release. Some might argue that the criticism leveled against the film has been particularly tough on Costner, whose acting and directing career boasts as many triumphs as setbacks.
Despite the numerous films that Kevin Costner has directed, one stands out as his most notable failure, and it’s not Waterworld, in which he starred. Instead, we’re referring to The Postman (1997), a film that was such a monumental financial and critical disaster that its impact on Costner’s career was virtually unprecedented for any actor. In this analysis, we will delve into the poor performance of The Postman in cinemas, the aftermath, how it compares to Horizon, and ultimately decide if it’s worth revisiting the film after all these years.
The Postman Plot and Cast
In the year 2013, set in a post-apocalyptic America, the movie titled “The Postman” unfolds. The main character, a vagabond, comes across a U.S. Postal Service uniform and an unopened mailbag, assuming the identity of a postman. Initially, he uses this disguise to convince people that the government is being rebuilt, thereby gaining their trust for safe passage and provisions as he journeys from one location to another. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he is unwillingly transformed into a beacon of hope for survivors under the oppressive rule of a ruthless warlord, General Bethlehem (Will Patton), and his militia.
In “The Postman,” Kevin Costner took on the dual roles of director and lead actor, following his successful Western film “Dances with Wolves” from 1990. Will Patton portrayed the villain, General Bethlehem, a role that has since become synonymous with him in Western-themed productions, including recent projects like “Yellowstone,” “Outer Range,” and most recently, “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1.” Supporting cast members included Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, and James Russo. “The Postman” was an adaptation of the novel by David Brin with the same title.
The Postman Was a Flop at the Box Office
In a surprising turn of events, the movie titled “The Postman” was projected to have a budget of $80 million, but it only managed to earn $27,026,234 globally, leading to a massive loss of over $62 million. This financial failure, coupled with “Waterworld’s” inability to recoup its $235 million budget in 1995, marked Kevin Costner’s second consecutive box office disappointment of the ’90s. So, why did “The Postman” bomb so spectacularly? There were several contributing factors: it was released on Christmas day and had to compete with the unstoppable phenomenon that was James Cameron’s “Titanic,” which outperformed it at the box office. Critics also panned the film mercilessly, and “The Postman” became the subject of jokes that season, ultimately winning five Golden Raspberry Awards.
Contrasting its reception, ‘The Postman’ currently holds a dismal 14% rating from 44 reviews, whereas ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ stands at 49% with 148 reviews. If you find the response to ‘Horizon’ severe, it is nothing compared to the vitriol directed at ‘The Postman’ in the ’90s. In Paul Tatara’s review for CNN, he concluded by saying, “The Postman” features brutal violence and a hint of nudity. It’s as inspiring as a film about an avenging meter reader.” Roger Ebert was relatively generous, awarding it 1 ½ stars and opening his review with, “There are those who will argue that ‘The Postman’ is the worst film of the year, but it’s too earnest for that.” Despite this, it would have been challenging to find anyone offering praise for Kevin Costner’s Western epic at the time of its release.
After two consecutive flops, “Waterworld” and “The Postman,” diminished the belief in Kevin Costner as a bankable actor capable of attracting audiences. Despite this, he managed to secure leading roles, but it wasn’t until six years post-“The Postman” that he experienced critical recognition and financial success with the 2003 film “Open Range.” With a global gross of $68.3 million on an estimated budget of $22 million, while not a massive triumph, it propelled Costner to assume the director’s chair again for “Horizon: An American Saga.”
Is The Postman Worth a Watch?
Is the movie “The Postman” as poorly received as some claim? Initially, the film faced severe criticism due to its lengthy runtime of nearly three hours, providing ample time for critics and viewers to dissect everything they found problematic about it. However, with the passage of time, the film has developed a small but devoted fanbase, with some appreciating its original take on a dystopian setting and the well-executed character development. Additionally, the movie handles themes of hope in a way that resonates with many people. If you’re unsure whether “The Postman” is for you, give it a try; just be sure to allocate three hours in your schedule.
1) Chapter 1 of the series “Horizon: An American Saga” is now streaming on Max. As of now, it’s undecided if chapters 2 and 3 will finish production.
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2024-09-03 02:01