It will get here. It just may take a little time.
“Precious” seems to be the buzz film of the season, if questions here and to movie theater folk are a barometer.
Words and phrases used in reviews of the film include “frank,” “brutal,” “refusal to pretty up,” “intense and pitched so high” and “harrowing and unforgiving.” The movie features incestual rape resulting in children, a beaten baby, and an obese heroine.
So what’s driving the buzz? Universally spectacular reviews, the support of Oprah Winfrey and the hint of a ton of Oscars coming the film’s way.
But it’s not around here yet. Not in Champaign-Savoy, not in Bloomington, not in Springfield. (There are reports of a showing in Bloomington, but that apparently was some kind of benefit for college students. Apparently. I can’t nail anything down about it.)
Right now, there are 629 prints of “Precious” in the country. I can’t find any sign that it will raise above that number in the immediate future. But it’s not like there’s room for it, anyway. Last weekend was the second most-successful box office weekend in film history (behind the weekend “The Dark Knight” opened last year), and there are 3,000 copies each of films like “New Moon,” “The Blind Side,” “2012” and “Planet 51” crowding the theaters.
But “Precious” will make it around here eventually. It’s making too much money to stay hidden. Here’s some numbers, for people who like this sort of thing. (And I do.)
Two weeks ago, with just 174 prints in circulation, “Precious” made $34,000 per screen. By comparison, “New Moon” played on in excess of 4,000 screens during its debut weekend – and made $35,500 per screen.
That’s not to say “Precious” would have done “New Moon” numbers with equal distribution. But it does show “Precious” has an attraction factor. And held on to it. After the number of prints of “Precious” were tripled for last weekend, the film still made a healthy $17,300 per screen. “The Blind Side,” with more prints in circulation, was regarded a success at close to $11,000 per screen.
Bottom line: “Precious” will get to Central Illinois, probably sooner than later. I’ll be interested in seeing if people are as excited about the film after they’ve seen it as they are now.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Three critics who I listen/read all HATED the movie. I’m not saying it’s a bad movie; I don’t always agree with them (on some observations I’m 180 degrees from any one of them). One of these critics you recently had a link to their picks for Oscars nods. One of them said, with fear of being royally criticized, said that some critics who praise this film are doing so with fear that if they said anything negative would be labeled bigoted/rascist.
As with anything, I’ll make up my own mind. I’m just pointing out that there are detractors of this film.