December 26th, the day after Christmas, a bustling Friday.
First, tickets for the limited preview screenings of Elephant sold out completely, sparking a small-scale sensation. Who would have thought an independent art film could stir up such waves during the holiday season?
Then, Roger Ebert stepped up as the trailblazer, giving Elephant his full endorsement with glowing praise, turning countless heads. Could this be the moment for the film to reverse its fortunes and reshape its critical reception in North America?
The answer... is a resounding yes.
Mixed Reviews Persist
Criticism, however, still looms. Some reviews were harsher than those it faced at Cannes:
- 10/100: "A pretentious but utterly hollow display of formalism."
- 25/100: "Looking skyward at a 45-degree angle and feigning sadness doesn't automatically make something art."
- 20/100: "This film's very existence feels like a practice in frustration."
The critics held nothing back, lambasting the film with mockery and disdain.
These professional reviewers don't pull punches. Winning the Palme d'Or won't earn a movie any automatic respect, and neither will Ebert's glowing review. Good films are good; bad films are bad. Every critic is entitled to their own opinion, and no filmmaker, actor, or producer gets a pass—not even Steven Spielberg, whose track record of consistently delivering high-quality films has endured for decades.
This principle applies universally.
At Cannes, no film gets special treatment simply because it competes in the main competition. Watching a movie is a personal experience, and everyone is entitled to their own perspective—even if it's unpopular.
A Different Media Landscape
What makes North America different is the centralized aggregation of critical opinions. Cannes compiles scores from a handful of critics in its official publications, leaving many divergent views scattered across various outlets. In contrast, North America's media review platforms provide a centralized stage for critics to freely express their opinions, ultimately producing an average score that offers a more comprehensive snapshot of the film's reception.
Criticism? Yes.
Praise? Also yes—this time, with overwhelming force and startling intensity.
- "Premiere" – 100/100: "I've never been a fan of Gus Van Sant's work, but this is a masterpiece. An unparalleled masterpiece."
- "Empire" – 100/100: "You'll feel anxiety, worry, fear, dread, and most importantly, you'll think. That's what sets this film apart."
- "Variety" – 100/100: "The atmosphere of the film is so serene yet so real, it carries an unnerving power that seeps under your skin."
- "Hollywood Reporter" – 100/100: "For much of the runtime, I couldn't decide whether this was a documentary or an artistic creation. Then it hit me—it's intentional. From that moment, I was gripped by fear and despair."
- "The New Yorker" – 100/100: "Some may dismiss this as a crude attempt to turn news reports into visuals, but Gus Van Sant achieves so much more. The most important parts of the film aren't what you see—it's what you don't."
- "Wall Street Journal" – 100/100: "The cinematography and sound design exhibit mastery of the craft."
The response? Jaw-dropping.
A Complete Turnaround
Elephant faced scathing reviews at Cannes, culminating in a disappointingly low official competition score. Yet now, upon its North American release, the tide has turned dramatically.
What happened in between?
According to a feature by the Hollywood Reporter, the disparity lies in the subject matter.
In North America, school shootings are a recurring tragedy, fueling heated debates over gun control without any resolution in sight. This has evolved into a societal crisis.
Parents envision schools as sanctuaries, places where their children are safe. Yet today, sending kids to school feels like a gamble, with no one knowing when or where the next tragedy will strike.
This grim reality amplifies the impact of Elephant. The film portrays a school environment that parents are blind to, a reality students fail to grasp, but one that undeniably exists. Long before guns appear, invisible violence permeates every corner of school culture.
Frenzy Ensues
This stark portrayal struck a chord with North American critics, sparking a wave of acclaim that even included the more reserved voices in the industry. While some reviews offered moderate scores (70 or 75 out of 100), the sheer volume of perfect ratings stole the spotlight.
Compared to its polarizing reception at Cannes, Elephant has made a remarkable turnaround in North America.
Box Office Buzz
Even without a major promotional campaign, Elephant drew attention simply for being the first American film to win the Palme d'Or in ten years since Pulp Fiction. Over 50 media outlets rushed to cover it, helping to generate significant box office momentum.
The film's media score? 77/100.
With this, Elephant shed its image as an aloof art film, instead becoming a holiday sensation that captivated both critics and audiences.
As TMZ exclaimed:
"Elephant stole Christmas!"