Newsworthy
Teen Indie Film, TO SAVE A LIFE, Debuts With Impressive Numbers on Opening Weekend
OCEANSIDE, Calif. January 26, 2010 - How can a little indie film with no major actors, no real TV advertising, and little attention from the mainstream press catch the attention of 215,000 teenagers who came out opening weekend?
How can it also have the #1 fan rating today on Fandango.com and Flixter.com?
IndieWire.com says “’Life’ Debuts Strong” and “debuted on an aggressive 441 screens and managed to break the overall top 15. The film - about ‘an all-star athlete must change his life - and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others’ - grossed an impressive $1,499,400.” (Final numbers in today give the weekend gross for To Save A Life at $1,513,955)
In comparison, To Save A Life was neck and neck with teen horror flick Daybreakers, however To Save A Life was on less than a third of the number of screens. A similar story occurred with Youth In Revolt, which was on 300 more screens, yet To Save A Life grossed nearly $700,000 more.
The LA Times calls the film an “absorbing redemption story” that “is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply.”
The Miami Herald reports, “It features good acting, excellent production values and even a solidly eclectic musical score that ranges from rap to alternative.”
Big Hollywood.com, on the making of the film, states, “To Save a Life is perhaps even more a miracle than the average feature film. Not only did it beat the odds, it did so with its soul still firmly attached.” In contrast to more typical teen fair, such as Youth In Revolt and Daybreakers, it begs to ask the question – are teens looking for more?
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