'' Three Kings '' was released in 1999 and was his biggest critical and financial success . It grossed $ 60 million in the United States and over $ 100 million worldwide . It holds a 94 % at Rotten Tomatoes , with the consensus " '' Three Kings '' successfully blends elements of action , drama , and comedy into a thoughtful , exciting movie on the Gulf War . " It ended up being the first of several collaborations with Mark Wahlberg . During filming , news spread of Russell and George Clooney nearly having a fistfight on the set . In a 2000 interview , Clooney described his confrontation with Russell after tensions on the set had been steadily increasing . According to Clooney , Russell was demeaning the crew verbally and physically . Clooney felt this was out of line and told Russell , " David , it 's a big day . But you ca n't shove , push or humiliate people who are n't allowed to defend themselves . " After the confrontation escalated when , according to Sharon Waxman in " Rebels on the Backlot , " Russell actually headbutted Clooney and Clooney grabbed Russell by the throat , Clooney said Russell eventually apologized and filming continued , but Clooney described the incident as " truly , without exception , the worst experience of my life . " When asked if he would work with Russell again , Clooney responded , " Life 's too short . " In early 2012 , Clooney indicated that he and Russell had mended their relationship , saying " We made a really , really great film , and we had a really rough time together , but it 's a case of both of us getting older . I really do appreciate the work he continues to do , and I think he appreciates what I 'm trying to do . " Russell 's next project was the existential comedy '' I ♥ Huckabees '' . Russell had conflicts with Lily Tomlin during its filming , and in March 2007 , two videos were leaked onto YouTube portraying on-set arguments between Russell and Tomlin , in which among other things he called her sexist names . These abusive tirades by Russell were first reported in a 2004 '' The New York Times '' article by Sharon Waxman in which she describes him calling Tomlin " ... the crudest word imaginable , in front of the actors and crew . " Additionally Waxman describes Russell storming off the set and back on again , continually shouting , which is corroborated by the leaked videos . On the set , actors were sometimes driven to their wits ' ends after hours of takes . Afterward , Tomlin remarked that she and Russell are " fine " , saying , " I 'd rather have someone human and available and raw and open . Do n't give me someone cold , or cut off , or someone who considers themselves dignified . " In a 2011 interview with Movieline , Tomlin was asked about the incident and she replied : It happens sometimes — but David is a very mercurial person , and that 's part of why he 's so brilliant . He almost reflects the movie . I did two movies with him , and '' I Heart Huckabees '' was so crazy , so all over the place , I think he kind of embodies intuitively whatever he 's trying to make happen . It was just crazy , crazy stuff . We were always doing something , and then we 'd get manic and crazy and I just flipped out on him . Then he flipped out on me . And you know , stuff goes on . But it 's nothing . It 's like family . If you have a big fight in your family , usually it 's treated that way on the set . We do n't want to misbehave ; believe me , it 's embarrassing . It 's humiliating , you know ? Because you just lose it . You act like a crazy person . Laughs But I adore David . I adore him as a talent . A lot of my friends said , " Well , you wo n't work with him again . " I said , " Of course I would ! I adore him , I love him . He 's brilliant . " The film got mixed reviews . Recent collaborator Jennifer Lawrence says it is her favorite David O. Russell film During the 2012 Gotham Awards , host Mike Birbiglia roasted Russell by reading a transcript of Russell 's argument with Lily Tomlin
2012 Gotham Awards
Gotham Independent Film Awards 2012
David O. Russell