Paul Thomas Anderson’s Scientology-inspired tale “The Master” posted the year’s biggest specialty box office opening, taking in $ 729,745 from five theaters in New York and Los Angeles Friday.
That’s a $ 145,949 per-screen average for the Weinstein Company release, and easily tops the year’s previous highest, “Moonrise Kingdom.” Wes Anderson’s quirky 1960s tale of tween love rolled up a per-location average of $ 130,752 while playing in four theaters over three days on Memorial Day weekend.
Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate had a spectacular opening weekend of their own, with “Arbitrage.” Opening theatrically at the same time as it became available from video service On Demand, it took in $ 2,069,770 from 197 screens, a $ 10,505 per-screen average, best ever for a day-and-date VOD bow.
The film got a boost from strong reviews and publicity blitz by the film’s stars Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Nate Parker. The film is also No. 2 on iTunes movies overall, and No. 1 in the drama and thriller categories.
After bringing in $ 242,127 on Friday for a $ 48,425 average, “The Master” gained 9 percent on Saturday, taking in $ 263,577 for a $ 52,715 per-screen average.
Members of the Church of Scientology had condemned the movie and e-mailed and sent letters to the Weinstein Company prior to its opening, but last week’s premiere was protest-free and Friday’s box office clearly wasn’t affected.
Also read: ‘The Master’: Paul Thomas Anderson Reaches Out to Scientologist Tom Cruise (Exclusive)
“The Master” was screened at the Venice and Toronto film festivals and is drawing major buzz over its subject matter and the return of Joaquin Phoenix to the big screen. He was last seen in the 2010 mock documentary “I’m Still Here.”
“The Master” tells the tale of a World War II Naval veteran (Phoenix) who arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future — until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Scientology and its founder L. Ron Hubbard provided inspiration for the film, Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”) has said in interviews.
Other top specialty openings this year include Woody Allen’s “To Rome With Love,” which averaged $ 75,874 on five screens when it bowed in June, and Mike Birbiglia’s semi-autobiographical “Sleepwalk With Me,” which took in $ 65,000 at a single New York engagement.
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