“The Good Lie,” the story of three Sudanese refugees who come to the U.S. and try to make a life in the modern world, debuted softly in its limited release by Warner Bros.
Co-starring Reese Witherspoon as the strong-minded woman assigned to help them, “The Good Lie” brought in $935,000 from 461 theaters nationwide. That’s a $2,028 per-screen average for the drama directed by Philippe Falardeau.
The good news was the rare “A+” CinemaScore given the film by its mature-skewing audiences, of which 85 percent were over the age of 25. That suggests word of mouth could help the film in the coming weeks as Warner Bros. expands its run.
Also read: ‘The Good Lie’ Review: Reese Witherspoon Delivers Strong and Giving Performance
Corey Stoll, Arnold Oceng and Ger Duany co-star in the film from Alcon Entertainment, Imagine Entertainment and Reliance Entertainment. Brian Grazer, Molly Smith, Genevieve Hofmeyr, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela produce.
Elsewhere, it was a very tough outing for writer-director Jason Reitman‘s “Men, Women & Children,” which follows a group of high school teens and their parents and the ways the internet affects their lives and relationships.
The Paramount drama starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner and Rosemarie DeWitt debuted in 17 theaters and brought in just $48,000 for a dismal $2,824 per-screen average.
The limp opening comes on the heels of Reitman’s disappointing last film “Labor Day,” to this point the lowest-grossing release from the director of “Juno” and “Up in the Air.”
“Breakup Buddies,” the Chinese import that was the highest-grossing movie globally this weekend with $34 million, was impressive in its U.S. debut. It brought in $240,000 from 20 theaters for a $12,000 per-screen average, the best U.S. debut ever for distributor China Lion.
Also read: Nic Cage’s ‘Left Behind’ Doesn’t Have a Prayer at Box Office
CBS Films expanded “Pride,” the tale of gay and lesbian groups who band together to help striking mine workers in the U.K., from six to 23 theaters in its second week. It brought in $97,900 for a per-theater average of $4,257.
“The Skeleton Twins,” the comedy drama starring Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as estranged twins who reconcile, slowed in its fourth week expansion from 385 to 461 theaters. It took in $733,360 for a $1,591 per-location average.