Sadly, even though I did not much love the Rent film, I expected it to do better than it has this weekend. If you look at the fact that it did 4.3 on Friday, you can assume it will add another 8-9 for Sat/Sun, giving it a total of @20 for the five days. That is, as many others have said, well below what was predicted. Sure, it's not a bad opening, but when all is said and done, if there is not positive word of mouth, it could end up grossing only 50M domestic, which would make it a disappointment (though not a disaster). I think it was everyone's hope the film would cross the magical 100M number -- from the studio on down. This no longer looks likely, although other films (Sabrina, etc) have opened weakly on Holidays and then turned around and hung in there. I doubt with all the competition RENT will do this, but there is still hope.
On my end, I've had friends who have really loved the movie and friends who have truly hated it. That doesn't make for great word of mouth. Even at my Thanksgiving, a couple people were telling everyone at the table to see it, but three others said not to, which led my two Aunts to decide not to go. For word of mouth to really work with a movie that got such mixed reviews as RENT, most people who see it have to say "What were the (negative) critics thinking?" and while a majority of people on here are, there are also just as many people whose disappointment in the film overwhelms them. A good example is the movie "Ghost". It got similarily mixed reviews as RENT (refreshing my mind, it got a 52 at metacritic), but audiences left in droves -- and across the board -- saying "I don't get it, I thought it was great, you have to see it". I don't think that's happening with Rent.
M
Updated On: 11/27/05 at 12:32 AM
