Pamela McClintock of Variety:
Summit Entertainment's Nicolas Cage starrer "Knowing" easily topped the weekend box office chart in debuting to an estimated $24.8 million, while buddy laffer "I Love You, Man" and Julia Roberts' topliner "Duplicity" came in on the lower end of expectations.
"I Love You, Man," starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segal, grossed an estimated $18 million from 2,711 runs to place No. 2, according to Rentrak. Box observers predicted it would do closer to $20 million.
"Duplicity," pairing Roberts with Clive Owen, grossed an estimated $14.4 million from 2,574 runs. Overseas, the film grossed $4.2 million as it opened in 11 territories for a worldwide opening haul of $18.6.
Most thought "Duplicity" would come in higher domestically, based on Roberts' name. Film could have hampered by the fact that it appealed mostly to older women; 78% of the aud were over the age of 30, making it a one quadrant movie.
Since femme driven pics and comedies don't necessarily need big openings, but rather strong legs, "Duplicity" and "I Love You, Man" have room to maneuver.
"Love You Man" in particular could take advantage of college kids and older high schoolers being out of school for spring break.
"Knowing" marks Cage's sixth best opening. Summit says the successful pic's bow was another sizeable victory for the indie studio, which is home to the "Twilight" franchise.
Summit reported strong sales for the DVD launch of "Twilight," which went on sale Saturday (Tuesday is the traditional day for DVD debuts). Studio, however, did not have.
Overall, the weekend box office was down 5% over the same frame last year. It's the second weekend in a row that the domestic B.O. has been down. Studio execs say it could just be a temporary lull.
Joshua Rich of EW:
Nicolas Cage's sci-fi drama emerged victorious from a weekend battle with ''I Love You, Man'' and ''Duplicity''
Fellow EW staffer Owen Gleiberman asks a very good question Nicolas Cage: Artist or hack?
''Knowing'' is a hit; he wonders if its star has any incentive to ever make a good movie again...
Cage has been in good films when he's not the lead Moonstruck and Rumble Fish come to mind...
I vote hack...
A more important question--What do the box office results mean for Julia Roberts and her once strong ability to open a film? Duplicity's 3rd place finish certainly had us all duped.
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