Cast: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Hugh BonnevilleWhat It Should Have Been Has any film produced such an underwhelming, unenthusiastic response from audiences with such a glittering resource of acting talent at its disposal as Monuments Men? Almost certainly not. With a quirky story, WWII setting and the above names on board, it should really have been an open goal for this George Clooney foray into directing. While punters might not have been too excited by the initial story outline, they would have at least have hoped for fireworks from the actors. The Reality The end result is dull as dishwater, but perhaps it reveals the dangers of an ensemble cast more than most films. Rather than creating a competitive or stimulating environment for actors, maybe it just turns into a bit of a holiday instead. Since all of these actors have literally hundreds of acting credits between them, it seems likely a film like Monuments Men just became a place for them to turn in a solid enough performance, chat to some friends, pick up the cheque and leave. Sadly, there's such a mix of comedic and dramatic talent on display here, but it seems to have had a neutralising effect. It's a shame because, had filming begun at a different moment in the careers, you can't help but feel they might have put a bit more of themselves into the project. Or at least have had a bit more fun on screen. The end result is a cautionary tale regarding using A-list actors to cover up a shoddy idea. Which other misused ensembles belong on this list? Share your picks below in the comments thread.
