Key Takeaways:
– ‘Clifford’ is a unique comedy where actor Martin Short plays a twisted ten-year-old.
– Although initially panned by critics, the film has gained cult status over the years.
– Short always believed that the film’s quirky humor would eventually find its audience.
– The movie’s unconventional humor caters to a niche audience, representative of Short’s belief in its potential.
Now, have you heard of ‘Clifford’? Not the children’s series about the big red dog, but a unique movie where a 40-year-old Martin Short goes into the role of a mentally unstable 10-year-old kid. This film is far from regular. It’s a bizarre thrill to watch, filled with eccentric dark humor and a ton of slapstick comedy.
The flick tells the narrative of a boy who has to stay with his uncle when his parents decide to jet off on a business trip to Honolulu. Despite the simple premise, it’s twisted and peculiar, often quoted for lines like, “Look at me like a human boy!” Despite its quirky demeanor, this film wasn’t met with an instant fanfare.
Martin Short, the man himself, always had a feeling the film would eventually be valued. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Short said he never saw projects that didn’t resonate with the public as failures. Having starred as the dubious ten-year-old in ‘Clifford’, he saw the film as a work of art that would someday get its well-deserved praise.
Despite hitting a road bump when Orion Pictures went bankrupt, ‘Clifford’ did see the light of day after a few years. It had to go through some reshoots and was finally released. Unfortunately, the critics were not kind to it.
Widely recognized critical voice Roger Ebert described it as bad in a new way – one that had its humor stemming from a completely alien universe. However, Short retorted saying the movie has a particular audience, much like how a Taylor Swift concert might not cater to everyone.
In Short’s words, ‘Clifford’ made a mark among 23-year-old stoners. People from this demographic would approach him and engage in conversations about the film. Short was quick to clarify that it was never his intention to make a movie specifically for this audience. But in the end, it’s these people who appreciate it.
So, despite the roller-coaster journey ‘Clifford’ had, does it hold as an underrated comedy, or do the initial reviews paint the correct picture?
In retrospect, Short’s belief that the film would be appreciated stands true. Despite the critics, ‘Clifford’ has grown into a cult classic, a testament to Short’s trust in the quirky film. It may not have been an immediate success, but like a fine wine, it matured into greatness with time.
Remember, not every Taylor Swift concert is for everyone. But for those it resonates with, it’s magical – and Short’s ‘Clifford’ is a shining example of this analogy.
