Focus Features' "The American" starring George Clooney, topped the Labor Day weekend box office on its debut with an estimated $12.9 million from 2,604 venues. The Anton Corbijn-helmed thriller/drama opened on Wednesday and has made around $16.1 million thus far.
In second, "Takers," a film which barely scraped past Lionsgate's "The Last Exorcism," looks to have another battle on its hands in its sophomore weekend. Crime pic from Sony posted $11.4 million ahead of 20th Century Fox's "Machete" newcomer at $11.3 million. The Danny Trejo starrer headed by Robert Rodriguez may flip the position come Monday actuals.
Fourth-placed "The Last Exorcism showed a hefty 63% change in its second weekend at play, posting $7.5 million as opposed to its opening tally of $20.3 million.
"Going the Distance" with Drew Barrymore and Justin Long had no legs, making a paltry $6.8 million from a big 3,030 venues. Comedy averaged just $2,272 per theatre and should fall off the charts speedily and look to make amends on the home entertainment front.
This is an up weekend vs. last weekend which was down in comparison to last year's figures. On estimates, revenue is up by around 4.10% and attendance down by 1.45% when pitted against 2009's numbers.
