National Video Rentals : An Impressive Premiere for ‘River’

Though premiering at an impressive No. 9, “A River Runs Through It” isn’t a real strong candidate for the top spot. It did amazingly well at the box office, $43.1 million, for a slow-moving family drama that not only features no major stars (Brad Pitt and Tom Skerritt) but isn’t sexy or violent either. With sexy thrillers and action movies topping the charts, the quiet film like this has trouble competing at that level. Some retailers have been playing up the fact that Robert Redford is the director of “River,” since he’s so hot now because of “Indecent Proposal.” The grisly “Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth” entered at No. 19 and is doing very good business in many of the stores that cater to horror buffs.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “Passenger 57” 1 7 2. “The Distinguished Gentleman” 3 3 3. “Under Siege” 2 8 4. “Consenting Adults” 4 8 5. “Trespass” 5 3 6. “The Mighty Ducks” 7 6 7. “Hero” 6 6 8. “The Player” 8 8 9. “A River Runs Through It” -- 1 10. “School Ties” 9 4 * “Glengarry Glen Ross” -- 1

* This high chart entry slot, No. 11, is largely due to the lure of Al Pacino, who received a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for this movie, while ultimately winning as best actor for “Scent of a Woman.” “Glengarry Glen Ross” wasn’t big box office--$10.7 million--so the home video release will reap the benefits from the Oscar attention, which came after its primary theatrical run. Many fans avoided it in theaters because, despite good reviews, it’s a real downer.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.