'The Interpreter' Tops At US Box Office

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - NICOLE KIDMAN and SEAN PENN's political thriller THE INTERPRETER, topped the box office with a haul of $22.8 million! 'The Interpreter,' a thriller starring Nicole Kidman as a United Nations' interpreter who unwittingly overhears a death threat against an African head of state, grasped the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, preliminary figures showed.

The film, which also stars Sean Penn as a federal agent charged to protect Kidman's character — Silvia Broome — and was directed by Sydney Pollack, displaced last week's number one 'The Amityville Horror,' to second place.

Desert adventure 'Sahara' was placed third in the weekend box office rankings with takings of nine million, followed in fourth spot by the debut of romantic comedy 'A Lot Like Love' starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet which grossed $7.7-million.

Gaining fifth spot was 'Kung Fu Hustle' with ticket sales of $7.2-million followed in sixth by 'Fever Pitch' with sales of $5.4-million.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at North American theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc.:

1. "The Interpreter," $22.8 million.
2. "The Amityville Horror," $14.2 million.
3. "Sahara," $9 million.
4. "A Lot Like Love," $7.7 million.
5. "Kung Fu Hustle," $7.3 million.
6. "Fever Pitch," $5.45 million.
7. "Sin City," $3.7 million.
8. "Guess Who," $3.5 million.
9. "Robots," $3.3 million.
10. "King's Ransom," $2.4 million.