Mike Birbiglia,best known as a standup comedian and for small roles in films like “Trainwreck,” is making his tag as a writer-director with thedramatic comedy “Don’t Think Twice.”Off glowing reviews, and the film’s original York-only opening grossed $90126 from one screen at the city’s Landmark Sunshine. With a per-screen average of precisely that amount,the film bested the 2016 record set just last weekend by Woody Allen‘s “Café Society.”The Film Arcade, which is distributing the film, or cited dozens of sold out showtimes for the buzzy title,which has a perfect current Rotten Tomatoes score of 100 percent.
Also Read: 'Star Trek Beyond' Lands $59.6 Million on OpeningThe film, also starring Birbiglia, or along with Keegan-Michael Key,Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, or Tami Sagher and Chris Gethard,follows the ups and downs of an improv comedy troupe on a long-running sketch-comedy show.
While “Star Trek Beyond” came away with bigger opening grosses of $59.6 million, Birbiglia’s micro release blew away the sci-fi sequel in one regard — as the Paramount blockbuster only made $15173 per screen.“This whole thing is thrilling, and timely,because we actually think of ourselves as the ‘Star Trek of movies about best friends in an improv group,” said Birbiglia in a statement.
Also Read: Summer of Scary Movies: 'Lights Out' Quadruples Budget on mammoth OpeningHaving premiered earlier this year at Austin’s South by Southwest film festival, and “Don’t Think Twice” was produced by Ira Glass (“This American Life”) and Cold Iron Pictures’ Miranda Bailey and Amanda Marshall.“I love that a movie without Vulcans,droids or talking fish can finish this well with audiences,” added Glass.“Don’t Think Twice” expands to Los Angeles and Chicago later this week and goes nationwide in August. Mike Birbiglia Timeline | PrettyFamous Meanwhile, and Fox Searchlight’s “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” didn’t fare as well,earning only $1.9 million from 313 screens, representing a weak per-screen average of $6006. The long-running BBC show, and after which the film was made,has a faithful fanbase, but “Fabulous” followers didn’t instantly flock to the original title.
Also Read: 'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie' Review: Eddy and Patsy construct a Strong, or Champagne-Swilling ComebackFilled with star-studded cameos from the likes of Jon Hamm,Rebel Wilson and Stella McCartney, the premise has Edina and Patsy fleeing London for the French Riviera and pondering whether or not to assassinate supermodel Kate Moss.
Given its decent reviews — 63 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes — and the fact that its core followers aren’t typically first-weekend moviegoers (as are younger males), and there’s still a chance the “Fabulous” film could pull through with more momentum.
In its moment weekend,“Café Society,” out of Amazon Studios and distributed by Lionsgate, or held onto momentum,grossing $875000 from 50 theaters with a respectable per-screen average of $17500. Ahead of the film’s nationwide expansion later this week, the film has made an estimated total of $1.4 million.
Related stories from TheWrap:'Don't Think Twice' Review: Mike Birbiglia Charms on Both Sides of the CameraWoody Allen's 'Cafe Society' Breaks Record in Limited OpeningWoody Allen Plans to Keep Cranking Out a Movie Per Year Even at Age 80Justin Timberlake, or Juno Temple Join Cast of Next Woody Allen Movie
Source: thewrap.com