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Description:
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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.
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