Hugh Grant hits top of box office chart

14/02/2007 12:06

LONDON (Reuters) - Hugh Grant’s portrayal of a washed-up 80s pop star shot "Music and Lyrics" straight to the top of the box office in its opening weekend, according to Screen International figures on Tuesday.

The romantic comedy in which Grant and Drew Barrymore grow close as they race to write a pop hit in record time took 1.93 million pounds.

New at two was "Charlotte’s Web," the film version of E.B. White’s classic children’s tale of a spider’s attempt to save Wilbur the pig’s bacon.

At three was another newcomer, "Epic Movie," a parody of the past two years’ screen blockbusters made along the lines of "Date Movie" and "Scary Movie."

Making its debut at four was "Silence of the Lambs" prequel "Hannibal Rising" in which a young Hannibal watches his parents die violently in eastern Europe at the end of World War Two.

At five, down one was the school-based drama for which Dame Judi Dench has been nominated for Best Actress in this month’s Oscars, "Notes on a Scandal."

Sixth down from second was Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of a South African diamond smuggler in "Blood Diamond" while down four places at seven was kids’ fantasy tale "Arthur and the Invisibles."

Biggest faller of the week, at .....continued below

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eight, was "Dreamgirls" which, including previews, was last week’s top film.

New at nine was "Goal! 2: Living the Dream" with Real Madrid soccer stars including Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.

Tenth down from six was Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness."