Audiences snubbed director George Clooney’s “Suburbicon” over the weekend to give Paramount Pictures one of its biggest financial disasters for a wide-release film.
The screenwriting talent of Joel and Ethan Coen, coupled with the star power of actor Matt Damon, was not enough to goad moviegoers into supporting “Suburbicon” on its opening weekend. Paramount’s satire of racism in the 1950s opened in 2,045 theaters, but the film only managed $2.8 million in ticket receipts.
“Obviously we are disappointed in these results, which we don’t feel are indicative of the quality and message of this original movie,” said Kyle Davies, president of distribution for Paramount, Fox News reported Monday.
The film, produced by Black Bear Pictures for $25 million, cost Paramount $10 million to distribute.
Deadline Hollywood noted that “Suburbicon” also constitutes an unfortunate milestone for Mr. Damon — a box office low for a film opening in at least 2,000 theaters.
“Indictments of white privilege don’t get much more extreme or direct than this. They also don’t get much more condescending,” the Los Angeles Times wrote in its Oct. 25 review. “Whether mired in the self-conscious political allegory of ’The Ides of March’ or the sprightly beat-the-Nazis caper of ’The Monuments Men,’ the director has tended to sacrifice dramatic conviction and storytelling verve on the altar of his good intentions.”
The film also received a “D-” CinemaScore by audiences.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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