Review of Opening Night (1977) by Jeff H — 30 May 2008
Gena Rowlands plays an alcoholic actress who starts to fall apart after a 17-year old fan is accidentally killed after a show. This John Cassavetes classic is about both her mental unravelling and the pressures on everyone leading up to her play's New York opening. It is, in a sense, The Agony and the Ecstasy for actresses: Rowlands is superb as the talented, self-destructive Myrtle Gordon who goes through hell in search of her character's essence, and herself, and the finale is an exposition of the wisdom of letting go on stage - total freedom - and giving a performance that is fearless and true. Just beautiful.
Confusing, unpredictable, funny and inspiring, Opening Night is one of those rare films which grows in the mind and demands to be seen again.
This review of Opening Night (1977) was written by Jeff H on 30 May 2008.
Opening Night has generally received very positive reviews.
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