National Video Rentals : ‘Joon’ Hits Right Notes With Viewers

“Benny & Joon,” a sentimental tale about a romance between a schizophrenic (Mary Stuart Masterson) and an eccentric (Johnny Depp), is doing strong rental business, bounding from No. 20 to No. 9. A sleeper hit in theaters ($22.9 million gross), it’s caught on with the home video audience too, with some retailers around the country reporting that it’s among their top few rentals. Fans of romantic movies are enjoying a feast with “The Bodyguard” (No. 1) and “Sommersby” (No. 7) also in the Top 10. “The Bodyguard” continues to punch out the opposition and seems to be popular enough to hang onto the top spot for the next week or two, at least.

* An oddball comedy-drama didn’t do that well in theaters ($10.7 million gross) but in the home-video market will be propelled by the star power of Robert De Niro and Bill Murray. It opened at No. 19 and should make the Top 10. Murray is the real bonus. This movie should get spillover business from his hit romantic comedy, “Groundhog Day,” which will debut on the rental chart next week. Some of that large “Groundhog” audience may be inspired to see Murray in “Mad Dog.”

1. “The Bodyguard” Rank Last Week: 1 Weeks on the Chart: 7

2. “Scent of a Woman” Rank Last Week: 4 Weeks on the Chart: 4

3. “Home Alone 2” Rank Last Week: 5 Weeks on the Chart: 4

4. “Unforgiven” Rank Last Week: 2 Weeks on the Chart: 7

5. “A Few Good Men” Rank Last Week: 3 Weeks on the Chart: 8

6. “Falling Down” Rank Last Week: 12 Weeks on the Chart: 2

7. “Sommersby” Rank Last Week: 7 Weeks on the Chart: 3

8. “The Crying Game” Rank Last Week: 6 Weeks on the Chart: 7

9. “Benny & Joon” Rank Last Week: 20 Weeks on the Chart: 2

10. “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” Rank Last Week: 18 Weeks on the Chart: 2

* “Mad Dog and Glory” Rank Last Week: -- Weeks on the Chart: 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.