Opening Night (1977)

The death of a fan (Laura Johnson) triggers an emotional and mental breakdown of an actress (Gena Rowlands) rehearsing a new play. The effects of which threaten not only her personal life but her professional life. Though much admired today, this John Cassavetes (who also acts in it) helmed film was never commercially seen outside its Los Angeles and New York initial run. Poor reviews and even worse attendance pretty much sealed its fate. One can understand what both its admirers and its detractors see in it. Rowlands gives a sensational performance with nary a false note. Her lonely actress fearful of aging and being alone, descending into alcoholism and madness, may well be her career best performance. The "real" life sequences are compelling which brings us to the stage play she's performing of which we are treated to large chunks that take up a lot of time. The play they're doing is dreadful! It's so phony when we see the audience laughing, stand up and go "Bravo!" when in real life, most of them would have walked out long before the final curtain. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem but it takes up so much of the film's running time that one can't separate it from the rest of the film. Part audacious, part self indulgent, in other words, typical Cassavetes. With Ben Gazzara, Joan Blondell, Paul Stewart and Zohra Lampert.