USA adult audiences turned out in droves this weekend to see Sully, director Clint Eastwood’s dramatization of the so-called “Miracle on the Hudson”.
Advertisement
According to Box Office Mojo, Clint Eastwood’s latest film had the fifth biggest September opening of all time. In addition to showing Sully’s feat, the film explores the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation of the landing. Both audiences and critics responded strongly to the taut drama – Eastwood’s first since “American Sniper”. An estimated 80% of those who turned out were over the age of 35, according to Warner Bros. So it’s not like there were many options for audiences. (But it cost just $10 million to produce.) Results were worse for other new movies.
“When we look at this weekend that is generally pretty soft for adult dramas, this is extremely noteworthy”, said Jeff Goldstein, head of distribution for Warner Bros. “Clint Eastwood is the master of being understated …”
Michael Maher spoke to Komarnicki in NY about the untold story that led to the film being made, the craft of screenwriting and working with two icons of American cinema.
It is the first movie ever to be shot entirely in ultra high definition IMAX cameras. The BOM report notes that this was the largest September IMAX opening for a wide release, and it made $4 million from 375 IMAX locations.
The Regina Hall and Moris Chesnut-led thriller opens in the runner-up spot with an estimated $15 million. The film unexpectedly got 0 percent of positive review from critics on RottenTomatoes and a “B” from the audience, which indicated it could fall sharply next weekend. They’re already in the profit mode.
The company’s president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer insisted the film had performed ‘way beyond anyone’s expectations.
“Don’t Breathe” and “Suicide Squad” drop two spots, falling to the third and fourth places respectively.
Advertisement
After a summer full of the adventures of talking animals with “Finding Dory”, “The Secret Life of Pets”, to say nothing of “The Jungle Book”, Lionsgate’s animated “The Wild Life”, depicting the story of Robinson Crusoe with talking animals, scored a disappointing $3.4 million in its opening weekend to round out the top 5 at the box office. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.
