80s Kurt Russell Rom-Com Remake: Rotten Tomatoes Failure
- But lately, they're making a comeback, and a surprising example of this resurgence is the 2018 remake of "Overboard." While many dismissed it, the film actually found an...
- The original "Overboard," starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, arrived in 1987 and became a beloved, if somewhat silly, staple of the genre.
- Actually, /Film's Karen Han gave it a solid 7 out of 10 in her review, calling it a "pleasant surprise" and "better than it really has any right...
# The ‘Overboard’ Remake: A Surprisingly Successful Rom-Com in a Genre Wilderness
Romantic comedies. They used to be *everywhere*. Then, for a while, they seemed to vanish. But lately, they’re making a comeback, and a surprising example of this resurgence is the 2018 remake of “Overboard.” While many dismissed it, the film actually found an audience and proved there’s still a hunger for charming, feel-good stories.Let’s dive into the story behind this remake, its reception, and what it says about the state of rom-coms today.
A Remake That Divided Opinions (And Even Goldie Hawn)
The original “Overboard,” starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, arrived in 1987 and became a beloved, if somewhat silly, staple of the genre. The 2018 remake, starring Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez, took the core premise – a wealthy woman loses her memory and is “claimed” by a working-class man – and flipped the genders.This change was one of the key talking points surrounding the film.
Many critics were…unimpressed. However, the remake wasn’t a complete flop. Actually, /Film’s Karen Han gave it a solid 7 out of 10 in her review, calling it a “pleasant surprise” and “better than it really has any right to be.” She acknowledged it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece, but a perfectly enjoyable studio rom-com. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Goldie Hawn’s Disapproval
Interestingly,one of the most vocal critics of the remake was none other than Goldie Hawn herself. Speaking with Variety in 2023, Hawn expressed her general disdain for remakes, stating:
“Very rarely does a remake