Details
Movie Description
John Cassavetes, known for his in-depth explorations of individuals who appear to be on the brink of sanity, paints another powerful portrait with OPENING NIGHT. Gena Rowlands stars as Myrtle Gordon, a Broadway actress rehearsing for her latest play, SECOND WOMAN, which concerns a woman who is unable to admit that she is aging. When a beautiful young fan gets hit by a car while trying to chase Myrtle down, she begins to ponder her own mortality, seeing visions of the young girl. This prompts Myrtle to challenge the playwright and director as to the play's overriding hopelessness; when opening night approaches, it appears that she has lost touch with reality. As the boozing actress, Rowlands adds another unforgettable performance to her resume, committing herself fully to Myrtle's character, making the film a challenging yet ultimately rewarding viewing experience for those that value a true grit performance. Cassavetes and Ben Gazzara deliver solid supporting turns, but it is Rowlands who steals the show. In focusing on an individual whose profession--an actress re-creating other people's lives--is directly linked to her psychological confusion, Cassavetes has made a universal commentary on coming to terms with one's inevitable aging, as well as the potential peril of living a life in which the lines between fact and fiction can all too easily blur.
Synopsis
On the eve of the premiere of a shaky Broadway production, a distinguished actress confronts complex and painful feelings about her life's calling, prompted by the accidental death of a fan. As her sanity begins to dwindle, she struggles to come to terms with the suppressed emotions that the on stage character she plays must reveal--which come too close for comfort. OPENING NIGHT is an emotionally draining, yet compelling film from John Cassavetes that features another extremely powerful performance by his wife, Gena Rowlands.
Film Notes
DVD Special Features:
Keep Case.
Theatrical release (New York City): May 17, 1991.
OPENING NIGHT premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 1977; it was not released theatrically in the U.S. until 1991.
The picture was filmed in New York City and Los Angeles, California.
Industry Reviews
"...Rowlands at her most radiant....[Cassavettes] is as darkly commanding in front of the camera as he is behind it...."
Maslin
"[With a] riveting performance from Rowlands..."
Uncut - Tom Charity (10/01/2005)
|
|
)
)
)
M(8Hw~~_7.JPG)
All rights reserved.
