It appears that Americans are more interested in honoring the heroes that defend them, rather than wallow in self-hatred over the racial sins of the past. That would explain why ‘American Sniper’ based on the life of Chris Kyle is smashing box office records, while liberally acclaimed ‘Selma’ is floundering.
The film directed by Clint Eastwood will make more this weekend than any Eastwood movie ever – the largest opening for an Eastwood movie was $29.5 million for ‘Grand Torino’ in 2009, while ‘Sniper’ has brought in more than $30 million on it’s first day alone.
In addition, “American Sniper’s” Friday ticket sales top the charts for the highest grossing day ever for a film in January, for a single day and/or opening day.
Previous record holders were 2008’s “Cloverfield” $17.16 million in January and “Avatar” which saw $25.8 million on it’s opening day Jan. 2 2010.
Meanwhile on the “let’s obsess on racism” part of America:
In a distant second place, Selma expanded to nearly 2,200 locations and earned an estimated $11.2 million. Compare that to Lee Daniels’ The Butler, which dealt with similar issues during a similar time period in U.S. history and earned over twice as much in its first weekend ($24.6 million). Selma instead wound up opening in line with disappointing political dramas J. Edgar ($11.2 million) and W. ($10.5 million).
Hopefully that means the country is getting back on track.