‘The Brothers Bloom” has yet to crack the Top 10 box office chart. But it must be considered a hit all the same.

The indie con caper, directed by the savvy Rian Johnson, came in 11th place over the weekend, bringing its total haul to $1.4 million during its first two weeks of release.

That’s about as much as “Up” made in the time it took to load this web site. I exaggerate, but only to reinforce a point.

Many indie films rarely crack the $1 million mark during their entire theatrical release, so the film’s box office take is impressive. Plus, it opened at the peak of the summer movie season on just 148 screens.

Every summer has at least one indie hit, a surprise film that manages to stay alive despite the thunderous competition. Let’s see if “Bloom” can hang in there a few more weeks to officially capture that unofficial title.

Who knows – the film could someday break the $2 million mark ,,,

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Director Rian Johnson spent his childhood making movies, using his neighborhood buddies as his cast and crew.

He’d bounce from comedy to western to action picture. The young film fanatic couldn’t settle on just one film genre.

His mashup sensibilities eventually earned him raves for his feature debut, 2005’s “Brick.” Johnson set his film noir homage in the not-so-adult world of high school.

Now, he’s at it again, cross-pollinating the con man flick with a romantic comedy in “The Brothers Bloom,” which opened the 31st annual Starz Denver Film Festival Nov. 13.

“Maybe I’m just continuing to do this,” he said of his genre-hopping film which opens in limited release next month.

“Bloom,” which stars Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Adrien Brody, follows a pair of con artists (Brody and Mark Ruffalo) trying to swindle an eccentric millionaire (Weisz) out of her fortune.

It took Johnson six years to get “Brick” made, but Weisz’s early affection for “Bloom’s” script made making the follow up far easier to complete. She fought for and won the role, and the other cast members soon followed.

Having a well regarded film under his belt should have made shooting “Bloom” a far more comfortable experience for Johnson.

Not exactly.

“I was terrified,” the affable writer/director says. His “Brick” experience helped, but he worked primarily with young actors on the movie.

“Psychologically, I bonded with them,” he says.

For “Bloom,” Johnson had to direct two Oscar winners across four Eastern European countries. Once filming began, Johnson’s nerves settled. It was just like directing his childhood pals all over again, he found.

“Once I started working, all the apprehension went away,” he says.

Part 2: Johnson reflects on film school, film festivals and making movies that mirror his colorfully chaotic family gatherings.

(Photo: Rian Johnson, writer/director of “The Brothers Bloom”)

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