To the tune of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” this spot for Simon Malls–one of three in a campaign directed by Bruce Hurwit of Crossroads Films, bicoastal, Chicago and London–shows a succession of people receiving what are clearly the wrong gifts.
We start with a young woman who has a large car tire on her lap–on which a bow is affixed. Then we see a balding man quizzically holding an electric hair dryer. Next a young male receives a pair of skimpy boxer shorts–with the word “Thursday” on them–from an older woman who is presumably his mom. The last recipient is a matronly looking woman sitting in what looks like the study of a mansion. Also in the room is her husband who triumphantly heralds the gift he’s given her: a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers.
As the lyrics change to point out that sometimes you get “what you need,” we see each gift recipient instead get something worthwhile and appropriate–a gift card for the many shops at Simon Malls.
The campaign was created by a creative team at Publicis, Indianapolis, that included executive creative director Lloyd Wolfe, associate creative director/art director Larry Jarvis and producer Kait Gaskey.
Camille Taylor and Carole Hughes executive produced for Crossroads, with Coni Lancaster serving as producer and Jay Spangler as production supervisor. The DP was Giorgio Scali. Editor was Mike Coletta of 89 Editorial, New York.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More