While John Travolta is often celebrated for iconic roles in movies like Pulp Fiction, his career has also included a significant number of commercial and critical failures. Among these was the 1978 romantic drama Moment by Moment, which showcased his early struggles with critically panned projects. This film, which starred Travolta opposite Lily Tomlin, failed to replicate the success of previous collaborations with producer Robert Stigwood, such as Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
Plot and Reception of Moment by Moment
The story of Moment by Moment revolves around a middle-aged socialite, played by Lily Tomlin, trapped in a troubled marriage, who embarks on a whirlwind romance with Strip, a young drifter portrayed by Travolta. Despite the promising team-up of talent behind it, the film was met with strong disapproval from critics and audiences alike. Variety condemned it as
“one of the major disappointments of 1978,”
while Gene Siskel branded it
“a thoroughly awkward, frequently laughable love story that Travolta would do well not to defend.”
Other reviewers took aim at the movie’s shortcomings in equally harsh terms. The Washington Post likened the film’s creation to an outcome of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times was a rare exception, commending Travolta and Tomlin for their emotional vulnerability in their performances, standing alone amid widespread negative opinions.
Travolta’s Reaction to Harsh Criticism
Facing such severe backlash for one of his earliest failures left a lasting impact on Travolta. He has spoken about how the critical response felt harsher than necessary. Reflecting on the experience, Travolta stated,
“I feel that the criticism after the film became abusive,”
adding,
“It went beyond mere criticism. You would have thought Lily and I had committed murder. I thought, ‘My God, don’t ever do a movie people don’t like; they’ll murder you.’”
This expression captures the distress and frustration he endured as a prominent actor grappling with public and critical rejection.
Perspective Gained Over Time
Years later, Travolta’s attitude towards Moment by Moment evolved from anger to reflection. Speaking with reporter Wayne Robins in 1985, he mused on the value of learning from disappointment.
“Maybe what one learns from that is invaluable,”
Travolta said.
“So is it wise to regret that? I have a tendency to try not to regret and look at what I’ve learned from something. Where does it get me, to stew in something? You can’t change it. I think half the insanity in this world comes from regret.”
Legacy of the Film Within Travolta’s Career
Today, Moment by Moment is mostly forgotten except by devoted fans of Travolta, who often overlook this film even when discussing his lesser works. Its obscurity underscores the challenging trajectory of Travolta’s career, marked by a range of successes and setbacks. The continued interest in his career fluctuations highlights how critical reception can influence an actor’s reputation, especially when a well-known figure experiences major movie failures. Looking forward, Travolta’s experiences serve as a cautionary tale of the pressures faced by actors in the public eye and the often brutal nature of film criticism.
