PJ Hogan's Mental has posted a relatively positive second weekend at the box office, falling by just one-third on its less-than-expected $1 million opening.
The film, which reunited Hogan with Muriel's Wedding star Toni Collette, grossed $729,616 across 266 screens to maintain sixth position. Mental's 33 per cent box office drop contrasted with a 55 per cent fall by Hollywood blockbuster Taken 2, which maintained first position after grossing another $3.42 million.
Mental has now grossed $2.81 million in total. In the film, Collette plays the unconventional Shaz who joins the fractured Moochmore family who believe their problems stem from mental illness.The film has been strongly supported by Universal Pictures, which has also employed an edgy 'Shaz' Twitter feed to help with promotion.
Meanwhile, Brad Pitt crime movie Killing Them Softly, from Australian director Andrew Dominik, opened in seventh position after grossing a middling $664,552 over the weekend. It was shown on 165 screens giving it a screen average of $4028.
The long-delayed local romantic-comedy The Wedding Party opened across three screens and grossed $8542 in total. Kath and Kimderella passed the $6 million mark over the weekend while The Sapphires is likely to pass the $14 million mark and Bait 3D the $1 million mark shortly.
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.
Australian films at the box office 2012