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A BIG 'PHAT' DISAPPOINTMENT: Monique’s new film is the latest not to connect with African American women.
*Monique’s new cinematic offering, “Phat Girlz,” is the latest film that has failed to draw its targeted African American women, reports Variety.
According to Fox Searchlight, the April 7 release opened to a dismal $3.8 million, which actually turned a profit; the film was made for only $3 million. But producer Bobby Newmyer, who died in December, violated the first rule of filmmaking by paying for half of the $3 million budget with his own money. According to Variety, the last $1.5 million came from second mortgages on his L.A. and Telluride homes.
The sacrifice falls in line with the larger sentiment in Hollywood regarding films that target African American women. While Tyler Perry’s Madea films have become hits among the demographic, the fan base was already die-hard well before the films arrived in theaters.
Other recent films targeting black women have fared a little better than “Phat Girlz.” Focus' "Something New" opened in February to $4.9 million, while last summer’s Paramount picture, "The Honeymooners," earned $5.5 million in its opening weekend..
"African-American women are really tough to get in," one studio executive told Variety. But, in good news for Searchlight and Newmyer's family, he notes such titles have made a killing on DVD, stating: "Homevideo really does salvage them."
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