A faith-focused film about President Ronald Reagan is beating expectations and climbing the charts, a sign that Americans still deeply respect the former president. After debuting at No. 4 in the U.S. one week ago, Reagan (PG-13) climbed the charts in its second weekend to No. 3 and grossed over $18 million, second only to the No. 1 spot. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice And the second Deadpool and Wolverine.
Equally impressive is the Reagan In an industry where declines of 40-60% are the norm, the drop was only 31.6% compared to the previous weekend. Deadpool and WolverineFor example, it fell 54 percent in its second weekend. It ends with us By the second weekend it was down 52 percent.
Box office experts predicted Reagan Sales were expected to remain in the single digits when it goes on sale over Labor Day weekend, but instead Reagan It surpassed $10 million.
The filmmakers gave it an A on CinemaScored, but Rotten Tomatoes Most critics disliked the film, with only 20% giving it a positive rating, but 98% of viewers on the same website liked it.
The biopic charts Reagan's life from his childhood in Illinois to his retirement.
Faith is a central theme in the film: “God has a purpose for your life,” a mother tells her son.
Dennis Quaid plays Reagan.
“Faith was a part of him. It was who he was,” Quaid told Crosswalk Headlines.
Reagan (1911-2004) was Quaid's favorite president; his father was also a fan.
“I lived through all of these events. He was the president that ended the Cold War,” Quaid said. “… He was such a big part of my life. When I was offered the role, it just sent chills down my spine.”
Quaid visited Reagan's home in California to prepare for the role.
“He was a humble man. You could tell Reagan wasn't a wealthy man,” Quaid said. “The house they lived in was 1,100 square feet. It had a king-size bed, but it was two single beds zip-tied together.”
Related: 4 reasons why Reagan will be your family's new favorite biopic
Photo credit: ©Rawhide Photo
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
