Audiences Riled Up Over 'Greenberg'
Gimme my money back!
Have you ever asked for a refund after seeing a movie?
I've said it before, but the only movie I've ever walked out of as a patron was Steve Martin's L.A. Story back in 1991. Of course, I was 14 at the time and perhaps the humor was over my head, but my friends and I weren't interested and we bailed.
We didn't consider asking for a refund and I would never do so unless a technical glitch affected the viewing of a film. It wasn't the theater's fault I didn't like the movie. It wasn't the director's or the actors' fault either. It was me. I didn't like the movie due to some internal judgment no one else has control of. So why should I be due my money back because I lack the capacity to enjoy what I decided to spend my money on if the product itself was not tarnished in its presentation?
Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule such as crying children, people talking loudly, cell phones and what have you disrupting the film. I wouldn't stand for that considering what theaters are charging now. I would also say if a film causes you to suffer from motion sickness that's another exception and I am sure there are more exceptions to add beyond that, but I think you get my point. If the film screens without interruption and as it was intended to be shown do you think you are entitled to a refund?
I ask because of the image you see above, which Jeff Wells received at Hollywood Elsewhere from a reader. The idea Noah Baumbach's Greenberg has caused so many people to complain and ask for a refund that a theater owner felt it was best to put up a notice warning them beforehand is astonishing. While I disagree with Wells when he says "[there's] really no disputing that Greenberg is one of the best films released this year" — because I would certainly dispute that — it is almost impossible to imagine someone so disgusted with the film they ask for their money back.
Wells turns it into some sort of critics vs. the masses issue, when in fact it's simply a matter of people not doing the research and then blaiming others for their lack of insight. Just because a film stars Ben Stiller doesn't mean it's going to be Meet the Fockers, a film I would much sooner consider asking for my money back after watching before ever considering asking after Greenberg.
Like Wells, I wonder where this was taken and by the way, if any of you ever see a sign like this please send photos in whenever you see them.
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haven't seen the film yet but is it soo bad that people are actually asking for their money back!
I mean what are the audiences complaining about exactly?
I have never walked out of a film in the cinema and I have never complained about getting my money back. Once, a film stopped for 10 min because of technical issues, but they fixed it as fast as they could and I managed to see the whole film. So no need for complaining. And beside, if a film sucks, as the filmmakers for the money back (which I would never do). One other time a drunk bastard made a lot of noice (during Crazy Heart). The cinema folks came, gave him a warning, he continued and they threw him out. If they hadn't I would've askef for a refund. A part from these issues there is no reason in the world to ask for a refund because you didn't like the film. People need to grow up and if you're not sure about a film, read some reviews.
At our theater its our policy to not give money back if you've watched the whole movie. If you leave earlier, say less than half way through, then maybe we'll give a refund or re-admit pass.
You hit the nail on the head Brad. We can't guarantee that someone will like the movie. That's all subjective. If there's mechanical problems that can't be fixed right away, or you have to leave on something important, or other reasons like that, then we'll certainly give a re-admit pass. But a refund just cause you didn't like the movie? I can't even imagine asking for that. And yet, though they are rare, I have encountered a few of these customers.
When watching "Michael Clayton," there was a glitch during it, and the screen went black, but they fixed it, and at the end the manager stood at the door and gave us all a pass for a free ticket later.
As for refunds: Yes, you can ask for one if the theater itself was a bad experience; i.e., a technical glitch, a horribly messy theater, or a horrid audience (the last two, though, should be particularly bad).
What you should NEVER ask a refund for is if you didn't like the film itself. I am especially horrified when I hear conservative people talking about how they asked for a refund because an R-rated film offended too much. What the fuck?! If you bought a ticket to a film and it ended up offending you, IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT. If you are really that concerned about being offended by a film, there are dozens and DOZENS of sites that are really easy to find that'll tell you EVERY SINGLE moment in a film that could possibly offend. Couple that with the rating, and there's no reason why you should go into a film not knowing what to expect! As for simply not liking a film–there's reviews, reader response, etc.
I think theaters should downright REFUSE to refund people who simply didn't like the film. They should make it clear that they will only refund for technical problems or audiences problems or things they CAN help. What they can't help is someone in the audience making a stupid decision at the box office that leads them to watching a film they hate.
I agree that people were probably expecting to see Dodgeball 2 and got a Noah Baumbach film. Expectation is the enemy of enjoyment.
"Expectation is the enemy of enjoyment."
Hard to put it any simpler.
in France, the movie "bronson" had the same trouble than "greenberg":too violent for interdiction under 16
Well, the people above me have all said it. Can't add anything. Firstly, no one should ever ask for a refund for the sole reason of disliking a film, and secondly, I can't believe it would take a film like Greenberg to cause people to do that. I haven't seen it, but I don't really think it's an Uwe Boll movie, or Antichrist, or something like that.
The same exact thing happened in Green Bay, WI with Punch-Drunk Love. People thought it was a laugh-a-minute Adam Sandler movie, and walked out en masse when they realized that it wasn't. Too bad for them, if they had just stayed through the whole thing they would've seen, at least in my opinion, an extremely good film that is probably way better than they normally see (if they're the kind of crowd that usually goes to the latest Sandler-romp that is).
My favorite example of this is the Billy Bob Thornton remake of Bad News Bears. The crowd I was with were walking out within 15 minutes when they realized it wasn't a family-friendly movie (I think it was right around the time that Thornton said "look at the ass on that second baseman."). I personally found the movie to be pretty hilarious (kind of a PG-13 Bad Santa) but it obviously wasn't a family film even from the trailers, so not sure what people were expecting there.
Movie audiences can be so stupid. But this story makes me laugh.
It is bad when you have to type up and print out a sign.
I completely agree. Film criticism seems to be becoming less popular, as great film critics are losing their jobs, but I believe if people actually read reviews, and knew what they were going to watch, things like this wouldn't happen. It would be like an Owen Wilson fan going to The Darjeeling Limited, and asking for their money back because they don't like Wes Anderson films.
But reading reviews gives away some of the story, I like to be as surprised as possible. I only read reviews of movies I will not see.
Interestng topic. I have never walked out of a movie. After reading everyones comments, maybe the theatres proper reaction to any customer problems is another ticket for the same movie at a later date, if your viewing experience was ruined/disrupted. Otherwise "tough" if you haven't done your homework.
Excellant comment about expectations. Many times expectations have dampened my movie experience. many other times excessive trailer content has ruined a movie (never a review). Therefore I have recently committed to only watching one trailer for each movie. I think we can get too much sometimes, with all these trailers.
Expectations! Like when you expect "Iron Man 2" to be just as good as the first, like you thought "Pirates" was going to be.
I wish they had a sign like that up when I went to see Transformers 2
Asking for a refund because you didn't like a film is insane, pure and simple. It's not even worth arguing about. It would be like returning an apple pie you bought and telling them the reason you want a refund is that you don't like apples.
I have never requested my money back after seeing a bad movie and I never will. The problem with people who do that is they know many businesses take a "the customer is always right" approach. They don't ask because they feel they deserve to get their money back. They ask because they think they can. It's consumer blackmail: give me my money back for my poor decision-making skills or I'll hurt your business.
I have asked for my money back and always reserve the right to do so. The last film I did it for was Dreamcatcher. I didn't think the filmmakers even attempted to make a good film and I demanded a refund. Most of the audience followed my lead when they realized they could. I live in LA and when I pay 14 bucks to see a flick the filmmakers should at least try to make a quality product.
That said, I probably wouldn't ask for my money back after Greenberg. I hate Baumbach's films but I do think he's trying to make the films he makes isn't attempting to rip me off. That said I walked out of Margot At The Wedding along with my friend who dragged me to see it.
I also think that the trailers for Greenberg are probably misleading as they focus on Stiller and the comedy in the film so it's quite possible someone would feel like they were given the old bait and switch. If so, their money should be returned just like if they ordered a black car and it showed up red.
"I didn't think the filmmakers even attempted to make a good film and I demanded a refund."
How is that the theater's fault? That's why most of us commented such moves are idiotic.
Dude, I bought a drink and some popcorn. That's how the theater makes money. The studio presented a shoddy product and it's their money I had refunded. I didn't ask for my concessions money back.
I live in LA and I'll never understand people who buy crapy products and just take it. You want to know why the Lakers are always great? because when they aren't people don't do and see them.
If more people were like me we wouldn't have so many crappy movies out there.
The theaters do get a cut of ticket prices, Bill, and in some cases they get a pretty sizeable chunk the later you see the movie. Anyone who asks for their money back because they didn't like a movie is a whiny idiot.
The worst part of the movie going experience is the upsells at the consession counter. You try to buy a small and they try to sell you a mediam. I made a very short comedy short on the subject. I would love if you checked out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx6cvTqW6q4
Jim, I worked the concessions counter at my local theater chain. The employees HAVE to upsell because concessions constitute 70% of the theater's gross revenue (around 70% of the ticket sales go straight to the studio).
And the rule of thumb is with customers asking for a refund is that we only do it for technical difficulties or if they walked out BEFORE the movie ended. For customers wanting a refund after seeing a whole movie, we'll just give them a free pass to see another movie for free.
But I have encountered many people who weren't satisfied, and there were a LOT of people were just very rude about these problems (as if every movie they go to should be a trouble-free experience and they take their frustrations out on the employees). I like working the door at our theater and I want people to have a good time. It's just that some theatergoers don't deserve to be anywhere near a theater with their attitude problems.
Hey Matt, I still love going to the movies. I do get annoyed when I am being upsold either at the movies or anywhere else. I was just trying to get a laugh out in my short:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx6cvTqW6q4
I worked in a cinema complex in Sydney, Australia, up until last year and people walking out of movies and demanding a refund is fairly uncommon but it happens. My favourite instance of this rare phenomenon was in early 2008 when a group of four Americans walked out of Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd. They demanded a refund because it disgusted them that "he's about to cut up a human being and put him in a meat pie! I don't know what goes on here, but we don't have that kind of trash in America. We don't believe in it!"
I gleefully informed them that Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is not only an American Film but it is also based on a Tony Award winning American musical by American composer Stephen Sondheim – and that company policy is not to issue refunds after 30 minutes into the movie.
I used to manage a movie theatre and my policy was "You paid to see it, not to enjoy it." Also, if you've sat through the whole thing and THEN asked for a refund, I will only laugh at you. I've walked out of a couple of movies because they just weren't sitting well with me, but that wasn't the theatre's fault!
Maybe all these people thought they were paying to see Green Zone.
LOL yeah maybe makes more sense
Four years working at a movie theatre, have countless ridiculous refund stories. All of them because the customer did not respond well to the film.
Top of my head, this includes the elderly offended by Judd Apatow releases or them thinking the special effects were too over in… District 9. Had braindead youth think American Gangster "didn't have enough action" or that Up had too slow a pace.
This movie is so misleading because it was described as extremely funny and entertaining but it is actually a trash. There is nothing good about it, there is no story. It is a garbage from beginning to end. Why would they even make movies like this? I only watched the dvd and can't stand it, I stopped. I don't blame people for asking for a refund. It is indeed a waste of money and should not even be approved for viewing in the first place.