The Guard holds own against big studio films

IT WAS the year that saw comedy-thriller The Guard become the most successful independent Irish film in our box office history.

However, cinema receipts for the top 10 movies of 2011 lag almost €6 million behind the take for 2010 in Irish cinemas.

Since the start of the year the top 10 films at the Irish box office have pulled in €5.6m less than their biggest counterparts in 2010.

Industry observers believe the lack of a major blockbuster this year has taken its toll on admissions, with little of the pulling power of last year on offer at the silver screen.

Last year, 3D epic Avatar bagged the number one spot with €6.2m in box office receipts, with animated franchises Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After in second and third place. Total receipts for 2010 came to €36.9m, compared to €31.3m so far for 2011.

But this year’s chart-topper, chick flick Bridesmaids, grossed just over €4.3m — almost €2m behind last year’s most successful film.

The light-hearted US romcom pipped Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which made €4,216,450, into second spot.

But it was the highly-acclaimed film The Guard, which came in at number three with €4,030,579, that the year will be mostly remembered for.

The film, starring Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle, took in significantly more than big-budget Hollywood movies such as The Hangover Part 2, the Twilight Saga, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Transformers, as well as performing well in international markets.

And with veteran Irish actor Gleeson nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance, the John Michael McDonagh-written and directed film could be in line for further success.

Despite falling receipts, the Irish still remain the second-most frequent cinema-goers in Europe, with an average of 3.6 cinema admissions per person annually.

We go to the movies more than any of our EU neighbours and are the fourth biggest lovers of the big screen worldwide after Iceland (5.4), Singapore (4.5) and the US (3.9).

But Eoin Wrixon, general manager of Carlton Screen Advertising, which sells ads to commercial cinemas across the country, admitted that the industry is operating in a “tough environment”.

However, he stressed that cinema would continue to adapt and move with the times in order to “maintain its freshness”.

And despite the proliferation of huge plasma screens and digital TVs, which are turning many people’s living rooms into home cinemas, he stressed the much-loved form of entertainment would never go out of fashion.

“Going out to the cinema is a real occasion and far cheaper than going out for a drink or a meal,” said Mr Wrixon.

Reel wins

The top 10 films of 2011 (Irish Film Board figures):

1. Bridesmaids — €4,334,968

2. Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 — €4,216,450

3. The Guard — €4,030,579

4. The Hangover Part II — €3,896,887

5. The Inbetweeners — €3,080,741

6. The King’s Speech — €2,807,417

7. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 — €2,425,859

8. The Smurfs — €2,417,907

9. Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides — €2,069,284

10. Transformers: Dark Of The Moon — €2,040,319