Smith finds ‘Happyness’ at Box Office
From Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES—Will Smith’s new film is No. 1 with weekend moviegoers, if not with English teachers. His rags-to-riches tale “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a rare foray into fact-based drama for the rapper-turned-comedian, sold about $27 million worth of tickets during its first three days of release across North America, distributor Columbia Pictures said on Sunday.
Also new were the fantasy “Eragon” at No. 2 with $23.4 million, and the children’s adaptation “Charlotte’s Web” at No. 3 with a modest $12 million. (Figures are for the period beginning December 15.) Last weekend’s champion, Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto,” slid to No. 6 with $7.7 million. The 10-day total for the violent saga stands at $27.9 million. Distributor Walt Disney Co. said it was happy with the film’s performance, even though its 49 percent drop was easily the steepest in the top 10.
The romantic comedy “The Holiday,” which also opened last weekend, fell three places to No. 5 with $8.2 million, down 36 percent. Columbia’s Nancy Meyers-directed film, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, has earned $25.3 million to date. Meyers’ previous film, 2003’s “Something’s Gotta Give,” had earned $33 million at the same stage in its run.
“The Pursuit of Happyness” marks Columbia’s 13th chart-topper this year, extending the record that it set at No. 10. The Sony Corp.-owned studio has grossed a record $1.58 billion so far this year at the domestic box office, also setting a new record, the studio said. Columbia set the previous record of $1.57 billion in 2002, the year that it launched “Spider-Man.”
Smith’s movie, which the studio said cost just over $50 million to make, is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a homeless entrepreneur and single father who eventually became a successful stockbroker. Smith’s own son, Jaden, plays his on-screen son.
Columbia said it had hoped for an opening in the low $20 million range. The audience was mostly female and older, according to exit polling data provided by the studio. “Whether he’s doing action, adventure or comedy, audiences love him,” said Rory Bruer, Columbia’s president of domestic theatrical distribution.
Paramount Pictures’ “Charlotte’s Web” cost in the $80 million range to make, and its $12 million opening met the Viacom Inc.-owned studio’s expectations. Based on the E.B. White novel, the live-action/computer-animated film revolves around the friendship between the titular spider (voiced by Julia Roberts) and a pig named Wilbur.
Paramount also opened the acclaimed musical “Dreamgirls” in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco ahead of its national rollout on Christmas Day. The film grossed a staggering $360,000 from 21 screenings, though the tally was boosted by the $25 ticket price.