Curtis Hanson Quotes

When I'm shooting, really the audience I'm thinking the hardest about is that first test screening audience who I want to like the film and that first opening weekend audience.

It doesn't matter how big the film is - if the story is not good, it will not be accepted. Stardom can maybe pull audiences to theatres but beyond that it is all about content.

'ABCD - AnyBody Can Dance' and 'ABCD 2' has succeeded not merely because of dance, but mainly because of its good script. Viewers have loved the story, and that's why my movies have done well at the box office.

Films of stars as well non stars are working at the box office. People look out for content driven films.

Box office success is pertinent but the story has to have a life beyond the two hours.

I like movies that make you semi fall in love with the villain so you have sympathy for him.

My family believes in a good script and ultimately everything that is attached to it. I am more interested in a hit film than a good film.

I don't think there are any negative roles anymore. I think we can aptly put such characters under 'anti-hero' tag.

The super success of '3 Idiots' has taught us that cost of making a film is not important at all; it's all about things going well at the script level.

No one knows why a film does well or not. The reasons for this are not important. What is important is the intention you start the film with and the final state when the film releases on a Friday - whether people liked it or not.

Since childhood, I've been a fan of mysteries - 'Nancy Drew' lovers unite! - but 'Vertigo' struck me as an entirely new take on the genre.

I believe in one thing, and that is content, because if your content is strong, the film will surely be hit at the box office.

Every villain needs her story told.

I am now confident about attempting a Hindi film. I believe if you have a good story to tell, audiences will watch it.

The anti-hero walks the morally gray path and constantly flirts with redemption, and that flirtation is just a blast to write.

Content is now the most import factor that decides a film's success at the box office, so we as filmmakers are all trying different stories.

You have to acknowledge that films that have a strong concept and are easily marketed to people are the ones that stand the biggest chance of success.

Noir focuses on the criminal mind, not a whodunit: more why they did it and will they get away with it. The abnormal psychology is what fascinates me rather than the puzzle-solving aspect.

If you have skills to pull off even a four-hour film, people will go and watch it.

Somebody - and I'm going to guess it was Hitchcock - once said that everyone has their reasons. If you remember that, as a writer, you'll write better than average villains.

I loved 'Life is Beautiful' and action films are great, like 'Die Hard.' My favourite is the mob film - 'Goodfellas,' 'The Godfather,' 'Once Upon a Time In America,' anything with Robert De Niro in it.

Our films tremendously influence people. But at the same time, no one goes to the cinema to listen to lectures, so if you have an interesting story, and if you can showcase it as a film, and its messages are good, then it's like an icing on the cake: it shall be a superhit. And if I get those kind of films, I'll definitely want to work on it.

I think all interesting characters have some kind of a complex.

We can't say whether a film will be a hit or flop. There's something which just clicks with people.

I could watch 'There Will Be Blood' all day long, and Daniel Plainview is a terrible person - but he's still compelling to watch. That's what makes me want to engage and see what happens next.