Miley Cyrus' 'LOL': What Went Wrong?

A movie expert weighs in on why the teen dramedy was a box-office flop.
By Jocelyn Vena

Miley Cyrus in "LOL"
Photo: Lionsgate

Last Friday, Miley Cyrus' soapy teen dramedy "LOL" opened to a limited release in nine states. The film, by all accounts, didn't perform the way a film starring Cyrus, "Twilight" star Ashley Greene and one-time screen siren Demi Moore, might be expected to.

"LOL," an English-language adaptation of a French Film of the same name, grossed only $46,500 in 105 theaters. While it's hard to tell why the film underperformed, it seems that a lack of marketing leading up to its debut may have played a role in that. The flick follows the story of a teen, Lola (played by Cyrus), as she faces the strife of first love in a world driven by technology.

"It's really hard to say because we've heard absolutely nothing about it. I think there was some buzz about this was sort of going to be a different type of breakout role for Miley. I'm not a fan of Miley, but I would actually like to see that and I think a lot of people would," Brooke Tarnoff, a senior editor at Next Movie, told MTV News about the lackluster interest in the flick once it dropped.

With so few eyes on the release leading up to May 4, it's hard to tell if the performance had anything to do with Cyrus. Tarnoff added, "Maybe the selling power of Miley has diminished. I think her fanbase may be less loyal than it was in the 'Hannah Montana' days, but it's all kind of moot."

The film had gotten some attention when Cyrus and Greene were spotted filming it back in 2010. But, after shooting wrapped, little else was heard about the film until a trailer dropped in mid-April, three weeks before the limited release.

"There's obviously an audience for pretty much anything," she continued. "And this one having a 'Twilight' star and Miley Cyrus, who still has some cache, it's just [a missed opportunity]."

Regardless of the film's box-office performance, Cyrus seemed proud of it. She took to Twitter over the weekend and brushed off the low numbers. "Thank u so much for everyone who went to see LOL," she wrote. "It is a film I loved making and I am proud of.... That's really all that matters to me."

Thank u so much for everyone who went to see LOL. It is a film I loved making and I am proud of.... That's really all that matters to me. ?

— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) May 7, 2012

Lisa Azuelos, who wrote and directed both versions, talked about the box-office response in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"I really thought this movie could be universal," she said. "Usually teen movies are tender or scary or have vampires in them, but they're never realistic. This story isn't too dirty and not too stupid."

Have you seen or do you plan on seeing "LOL"? Leave your comment below!

Check out everything we've got on "LOL."

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