As a film enthusiast who has witnessed both the peaks and valleys of Hollywood, I must say that the tale of Ridley Scott Crowe is one that piques my interest. The man behind iconic films like “Gladiator” and “A Beautiful Mind” found himself in a rather rocky situation with the release of “Aloha“.
Without a doubt, one of the most infamous flops from Hollywood over the past decade is the critically panned 2015 romantic comedy titled “Aloha.” Famed director Cameron Crowe helmed this production and assembled an impressive lineup of talent including Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, and Rachel McAdams. The rom-com revolves around Cooper’s military contractor character, who returns to Hawaii for a mission and rekindles his romance with an ex-wife while falling in love with a lively Air Force pilot.
Despite initially appearing harmless, the movie “Aloha” stirred up controversy upon its release, leading to both commercial and critical failure. The romantic comedy, featuring a star-studded cast, was widely criticized by audiences. The controversy surrounding “Aloha” stemmed from allegations of whitewashing, with Emma Stone’s casting in the film being a major point of contention and sparking outrage. This article explores why Stone’s involvement caused such a backlash, how she, Russell Crowe, and the studio reacted to the public outcry, and what lessons can be learned from this incident.
A Rom-Com Featuring Hollywood’s Finest
Showcasing an illustrious cast led by Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, and Bill Murray, the 2015 romantic comedy “Aloha” tells the story of Brian Gilcrest, a military contractor and ex-US Air Force officer, grappling with disillusionment despite his esteemed military background. Upon being tasked with a job that brings him back to Oahu, Hawaii – a place dear to his heart – Brian encounters Tracy Woodside (McAdams), his former flame who he left over a decade ago, and rekindles their relationship.
Enhancing the intricacy is Captain Allison Ng (Stone), a spirited and ambitious Air Force liaison, who stirs in Brian an innate childlike curiosity and revives his enthusiasm for both cosmos and life. As Brian grows increasingly smitten with Allison and inspired by her hopeful perspective and vibrant spirit, startling truths surface concerning his former girlfriend Tracy, causing him to question everything he believed.
Whitewashing Controversy Strikes Aloha
Although Aloha appeared to be a lighthearted romantic comedy and carried an appealing vibe, it drew significant criticism upon its debut for casting Emma Stone as Allison Ng, who was scripted to be one-quarter Hawaiian and one-quarter Chinese descent (Stone does not possess these ethnicities). The involvement of the Oscar-winning actress in the film sparked considerable debate, leading The Media Action Network for Asian Americans to accuse director Cameron Crowe and Sony Pictures of whitewashing the cast. In response, the renowned filmmaker apologized for his decision, acknowledging the issue on his blog and expressing regret over the casting choice.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and expressing your feelings of disappointment. I sincerely apologize to everyone who felt that my casting choice was odd or misguided. Your feedback has been enlightening and inspiring, as it highlights the importance of racial diversity and accurate representation in stories. I’m eager to contribute to telling these important stories in the future.
Crowe admitted that he modeled the character Ng after a real-life red-headed Hawaiian friend who often faced challenges due to misunderstandings about her ethnicity. Interestingly, she took all the blame for the casting error while commending Stone’s dedication in portraying the role. Despite Crowe acknowledging his mistake, Sony Pictures defended the representation of Hawaiian culture in the movie “Aloha”, stating that it sensitively portrays the spirit and culture of the Hawaiian people, even though some have criticized without fully understanding the script or watching the film.
In response, Stone too voiced her profound remorse for depicting a ethnicity that wasn’t hers, acknowledging the persistent issue of Hollywood whitewashing, yet she continued to justify Crowe’s decision to cast her. She emphasized that Ng “was not intended to resemble her heritage, which was one-quarter Hawaiian and one-quarter Chinese.” The star of Poor Things later reflected on her part in the romantic comedy and how it ignited a significant discussion within the industry. In a 2015 interview with Vanity Fair, she shared:
We’ve been discussing extensively about how to portray individuals authentically on screen, and what adjustments our company needs to make to better mirror society without falling into stereotypes or idealizations. This year, I’ve come to realize that there are certain issues within the system that need addressing.
Crowe’s Unfortunate Critical & Commercial Dud
Despite facing significant controversy and negative reception upon its debut, it was no shock that the romantic comedy “Aloha” turned out to be a flop both critically and financially at the box office. The movie hit theaters on May 29, 2015, and premiered alongside Dwayne Johnson’s action-packed disaster film “San Andreas.” During its opening weekend, it earned $9.7 million and ranked sixth in the box office. Ultimately, “Aloha” managed to gather only $26.3 million against a production budget of approximately $37 million. The Hollywood Reporter estimated that by the end of its global release, the film and studio had suffered losses amounting to around $65 million.
In my humble opinion, the whitewashing debate was undeniably at the forefront of critics’ discussions, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the only point of contention. The screenplay for this romantic comedy, titled “Aloha,” seemed to lack the usual charm and depth that director Crowe typically brings to his films. Critics found the storylines muddled, the dialogue lackluster, and the emotional resonance sorely missing.
Following a less-than-stellar reception from audiences and critics, Russell Crowe took a break from the spotlight and largely avoided the entertainment industry for several years. He only resurfaced in 2019 with the release of the documentary David Crosby: Remember My Name and the short-lived series Roadies. In 2023, after a hiatus of eight years since the Aloha movie controversy, it was announced that Crowe had been working secretly with music icon Joni Mitchell on a biopic about her life. Renowned filmmaker is set to direct this project. With his extensive experience in creating hit movies like Say Anything…, Jerry Maguire, and Almost Famous, it’s expected that Crowe will bring the spirit and essence of the legendary singer-songwriter to life and produce a captivating final product, potentially regaining his past fame. Stream Aloha on Netflix.
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2024-09-07 23:01