The “terrible” 2004 movie Ben Affleck can’t stand: “He hated himself for having made it”
Ben Affleck’s 2004 comedy *Surviving Christmas* was a major box-office failure, deepening a difficult period in his career after several poorly received films. The article says the experience helped prompt a turning point: Affleck’s agents urged him to choose future roles closer to the work that had drawn him to acting.
The film, directed by Mike Mitchell, cost $45 million and earned barely a third of that from ticket sales. Affleck received a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor, and his friend and collaborator Kevin Smith recalled that Affleck knew the film was poor and hated having made it. The article links the meeting with his agents to the start of a gradual career recovery, which later included *Hollywoodland* and his directorial debut, *Gone Baby Gone*.
In short
- *Surviving Christmas* cost $45 million and earned barely a third back.
- Kevin Smith said Affleck regretted making the film.
- A meeting with his agents helped redirect his career.
Explained simply
Surviving Christmas was a 2004 comedy directed by Mike Mitchell and starring Ben Affleck. It arrived during a difficult spell for Affleck, whose recent films had been poorly received, and it performed badly at the box office.
Affleck’s friend and collaborator Kevin Smith later said Affleck recognised the film’s problems and regretted making it. The experience came as Affleck’s agents encouraged him to choose roles closer to what had first attracted him to acting.
Affleck’s later work included the film Hollywoodland and his directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone. The episode helps explain the change in direction that preceded those projects.