Tom Hanks has had an impressive career in film, spanning over 40 years. During this time, he’s starred in some of the greatest movies ever made and has earned numerous awards for his acting talent. However, with such a lengthy filmography, not every movie can be a hit.
Hanks himself acknowledges this and has called The Bonfire of the Vanities the “crappiest” movie he ever made. Directed by Brian De Palma, this black comedy follows Sherman McCoy, played by Hanks, a shady Wall Street banker who helps his mistress cover up the accidental death of a Black teenager. Unfortunately, the film was a flop, both financially and critically, and was panned by reviewers, audiences, and even its own cast.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Hanks stated, “It’s one of the crappiest movies ever made.” He later reflected that he struggled to relate to his character and admitted that trying to “bullshit his way through” the role didn’t work out. Despite the film’s shortcomings, Hanks saw it as a learning opportunity. “Yet if I hadn’t gone through that experience, I would have lost out on something valuable,” he explained. He described the film as a “fascinating enterprise” that drew a lot of attention.
Hanks even shared a humorous anecdote about how, even today, when he visits Germany, people ask him why he doesn’t make “good, gritty movies like The Bonfire of the Vanities anymore.” He noted that those fans didn’t grasp the complexities of being an American and how that film impacted the national conversation. He realized that he couldn’t force a genuine connection with the audience through his performances.
These days, Hanks seems to have a clear criterion for his projects; he only accepts roles that excite him, which explains his remarkable career longevity. Still, one has to wonder what drew him to The Da Vinci Code—a film that sparked quite a bit of controversy!
