The 2012 teen drama LOL was a remake of a French original by Lisa Azuelos.
In short: Before its limited U.S. release, the film LOL faced significant skepticism from Lionsgate executives regarding its commercial viability. Originally intended as a television project, legal complications forced a shift to film, leading to a production timeline that spanned over a year before its eventual 2012 premiere.
Directed by Lisa Azuelos, the 2012 American film LOL serves as a remake of her own 2008 French production, LOL (Laughing Out Loud). The story centers on Lola 'Lol' Williams, a teenager navigating the complexities of high school in Chicago, including a messy breakup with her boyfriend Chad and a burgeoning romance with his best friend, Kyle Ross. The narrative weaves together Lol's adolescent struggles with the life of her mother, Anne, a divorcée attempting to manage her own romantic life while reconnecting with her daughter.
The production process was extensive and marked by several shifts. Principal photography commenced on July 16, 2010, in Dearborn, Michigan, with additional filming occurring in Grosse Pointe and Chicago before moving to Paris in September 2010. Post-production proved lengthy, requiring a year and two weeks to complete by November 1, 2011. Although originally slated for a 2011 release, the film was delayed to 2012. The project's transition from a television drama to a feature film was necessitated by legal issues surrounding the rights to the French original.
Upon its release, the film struggled to find critical or commercial favor. Lionsgate executives, lacking confidence in its profitability, opted for a limited theatrical rollout in seven U.S. cities on May 4, 2012, to satisfy contractual obligations with foreign distributors. The opening weekend grossed only $46,500 across 105 theaters. Critics were largely dismissive, with the film holding a 14% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewer Joe Leydon characterized the work as a 'shapeless and charmless' effort that felt dated upon arrival, citing its reliance on social media tropes and slang as major detriments to its overall impact.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: LOL (2012 film)
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