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. “Falling Down,” starring Michael Douglas as a deranged L.A. resident on a violent rampage, jumped six notches to No. 6. A spot check of some stores in the L.A. area indicates it’s a popular local rental--hardly a surprise.

* 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 premiere on the rental chart next week. Some of that large “Groundhog” audience may be inspired to see Murray in “Mad Dog.”

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”The Bodyguard” 1 7 2.”Scent of a Woman” 4 4 3.”Home Alone 2” 5 4 4.”Unforgiven” 2 7 5.”A Few Good Men” 3 8 6.”Falling Down” 12 2 7.”Sommersby” 7 3 8.”The Crying Game” 6 7 9.”Benny & Joon” 20 2 10.”Homeward Bound: 18 2 Incredible Journey” * “Mad Dog and Glory” ... 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.