Theatrical Release Date: TBC
Home Ent. Release Date: 08 Jul 2007
Cert:
In Opening Night, ageing Broadway actress Myrtle Gordon (Gena Rowlands) begins rehearsals for her role in a play about a middle aged woman living in denial at the onset of her autumn years. A series of pre-show setbacks and disasters threaten preparations and when Myrtle witnesses the accidental death of an adoring young fan, she is forced to confront her own personal and professional turmoil. An intelligent examination of the ‘show must go on ethic’ that also draws upon Cassavates’ fascination with personal destruction, Opening Night features an outstanding performance from Gena Rowlands and a great supporting cast which includes John Cassavetes himself as her costar Maurice Adams, Ben Gazarra as her charming director and Joan Blondell as the hardened playwright. Shot on stages with live audiences reacting freely to the material Opening Night pulsates with the naturalism and naked emotion that characterises Cassavetes’ uniquely affecting cinema.