"Milk" nears $2 million mark in first five days of limited release...
Despite playing in just 36 theaters, "Milk" managed to debut in the top 10 of highest-grossing films over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The movie about the life of slain San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk was released the day before the 30th anniversary of his tragic murder at the hands of former Supervisor Dan White.
The Gus Van Sant-directed film starring Sean Penn as Milk grossed an estimated $1,866,079, according to the box office tracking firm Media By Numbers Inc.It's per theater average of $51,836 was far higher than any other film in the marketplace.
"Milk" goes into wide release on Friday. It will be interesting to see if it can become Hollywood's first gay-themed movie since "Brokeback Mountain" to become a mainstream hit.
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in Hollywood
Greg Hernandez authored Out In Hollywood for the Daily News from June 2006 to February 2009. He can now be found at Greg In Hollywood: www.greginhollywood.com
Just to give a sense of how impressive the number is:
"This ranks as the highest opening weekend for any film released in the range of 30-40 theaters (a record previously held by Focus' "Atonement"). "
So says Indiewire.com
This bodes well and suggests a box office potential greater than Brokeback Mountain.
So says me.
I saw Milk tonight at the Grove in Los Angeles and it was unbelievably moving, tender, riveting and entertaining even.
I cried during different parts of the film, not just the tragic ending. Sean Penn was just incredible. He totally immersed himself in the spirit of Harvey Milk and succeeds in all levels.
I am going to recommend this movie to everyone I speak to. It is a cinema masterpiece and should be seen.