Why a critically panned 2002 romantic comedy eventually found its own cult following
In short: Released in 2002, The Sweetest Thing was savaged by critics and labeled one of the year's biggest bombs. Yet, screenwriter Nancy Pimental maintains the film eventually cultivated a dedicated audience. This raunchy romantic comedy, starring Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair, remains a curious case of audience versus critic.
Directed by Roger Kumble and written by Nancy Pimental, The Sweetest Thing debuted on April 12, 2002. Pimental based the characters on her own experiences working with an all-female crew of waitresses. The plot follows Christina Walters, a 28-year-old interior designer in San Francisco, who finds herself unexpectedly pursuing a man named Peter after a disastrous first encounter at a dance club. The narrative leans heavily into chaotic misadventures, including a road trip to Somerset that features an exploding toilet, a misunderstanding involving a motorcyclist, and a series of gaudy wardrobe malfunctions.
The film's reception was notably harsh. It holds a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 4.30/10, and a weighted average of 32 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics frequently dismissed it as a thin plot held together by inconsistent gags, and it famously appeared on the 'Worst of 2002' list by Ebert & Roeper under the category 'Big Stars in Big Bombs.' Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore were similarly lukewarm, awarding it an average grade of C+.
Despite the critical drubbing, the film managed a worldwide gross of US$68,696,770. Its commercial life continued on home media, with a DVD and VHS release on August 20, 2002, followed by an unrated DVD version that included extra scenes, such as a musical performance titled 'The Penis Song.' While the initial theatrical run saw it open at number three behind Changing Lanes and Panic Room with US$9,430,667, Pimental suggests that the film's legacy shifted over time as it found a cult following, proving that critical consensus does not always dictate a film's long-term cultural footprint.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Sweetest Thing (film)
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