White Elephant (2022 film)

White Elephant is an American action film directed by Jesse V. Johnson and written by Johnson and Erik Martinez, based on a story by Johnson. It stars Michael Rooker, Bruce Willis, Olga Kurylenko, and John Malkovich.

White Elephant
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJesse V. Johnson
Screenplay by
  • Jesse V. Johnson
  • Erik Martinez
Story byJesse V. Johnson
Produced byCorey Large
Starring
CinematographyJonathan Hall
Edited byMatthew Lorentz
Music bySean Murray
Production
companies
  • 308 Enterprises
  • BondIt Media Capital
  • Buffalo 8 Productions
  • Yale Productions
  • The Melanie Group
  • The Exchange
Distributed by
Release date
  • June 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)
Running time
89 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$49,477[2]

It was released in the United States by RLJE Films and AMC+ on June 3, 2022.

Premise

Gabriel Tancredi, a former Marine turned mob enforcer, breaks his code of conduct to save a police officer, Vanessa, who witnessed a failed assassination attempt ordered by Arnold Solomon, his friend and ruthless mob boss.

Cast

Production

The film was shot in the state of Georgia, beginning in April 2021.[3] White Elephant is one of the last films to star Bruce Willis, who retired from acting because he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.[4] Director Jesse V. Johnson, who previously worked with Willis when he himself was a stuntman, told the Los Angeles Times that "it was clear that he was not the Bruce I remembered". Willis's lines were filmed at a quicker pace at the suggestion of his assistant, Stephen J. Eads. Several crew members recalled Willis appearing confused on set. One of the crew members said, "It was less of an annoyance and more like: 'How do we not make Bruce look bad?'. Someone would give him a line and he didn't understand what it meant. He was just being puppeted." Production supervisor Terri Martin said, "He just looked so lost, and he would say, 'I'll do my best.' He always tried his best." Johnson would later be asked if he wanted to film another movie with Willis but the director declined the offer, stating, "it was decided as a team that we would not do another. We are all Bruce Willis fans, and the arrangement felt wrong and ultimately a rather sad end to an incredible career, one that none of us felt comfortable with."[5]

Release

The film was released in select theaters in the United States by RLJE Films and on streaming on AMC+ on June 3, 2022.[6]

Box office

As of May 26, 2023, White Elephant grossed $49,477 in the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Portugal.[2]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 13% of 8 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.1/10.[1]

Roger Moore of Movie Nation gave a negative review and wrote, "judging from the inane script, the unhurried direction...and by the destruction wrought when machine guns tear up cars, houses and people (nothing graphic enough to be honest), it's obvious that the budget here went to actors and ordinance."[7] Dom Sinacola of Paste also gave a negative review, summarizing the film was "like the work of an artist still searching for inspiration."[8]

Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine praised Michael Rooker's performance in the film, "This is his best performance, by far. He is very memorable in this role."[9]

References
  1. "White Elephant". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  2. "'White Elephant' (2022)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  3. Roxborough, Scott (May 20, 2021). "Cannes: Olga Kurylenko, Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker Join White Elephant (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  4. Rosenbloom, Alli (February 16, 2023). "Bruce Willis' family shares an update on his health and new diagnosis". CNN. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  5. James, Meg; Kaufman, Amy (March 30, 2022). "Concerns about Bruce Willis' declining cognitive state swirled around sets in recent years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  6. Vejvoda, Jim (May 16, 2022). "White Elephant: Exclusive Trailer and Poster Debut for Michael Rooker-Bruce Willis Mob Movie". IGN. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  7. Moore, Roger (May 30, 2022). "Movie Review: Rooker, Willis, Malkovich and Kurylenko shoot it out — "White Elephant"". Movie Nation. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  8. Sinacola, Dom (June 1, 2022). "Michael Rooker and Bruce Willis Ruminate in Jesse V. Johnson's White Elephant". Paste. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  9. Zirogiannis, Marc. "White Elephant (2022) is a Heartfelt Send Off For Bruce Willis". Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine. KYPAUSA. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
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