I am interested in the reception of Moore's film outside the larger metro areas.
Here in Rochester, Minn. (population about 85,000), I was mildly surprised to see the film was going to show at all.
Rochester is traditionally one of the redder areas in a blue state, though the trend here is in the blue direction. Still, there are a lot of really venomous Republicans here, and I didn't expect our local 14-screen threater to risk their wrath.
The late showing (around 10 p.m.) was packed, though not sold out. I'd guess the capacity was over 400. I went with a group of local Dems, but we were less than a tenth of that. I think the crowd was mostly folks who aren't politically active -- I even saw a Republican co-worker there.
Just before the start of the film, the theater manager gave a quick speech to the audience. The gist: we are in the business of showing films, and we are going to show films for which there is an interest. My translation: I stuck my neck out for this, thanks for coming through for me.
I think the film was a hit. It got a big ovation from the crowd at the end.