“Gena Rowlands plays the role at perfect pitch: She is able to suggest, even in the midst of seemingly ordinary moments, the controlled panic of a person who needs a drink, right here, right now. ”
Screened in tribute to Gena Rowlands (1930 - 2024)
Gena Rowlands stars as Myrtle Gordon, a functioning alcoholic actress, teetering on the edge of a breakdown as she counts down the days toward a big Broadway opening. Myrtle's fragile state of mind is not helped by the demands of her latest role (a woman distraught about aging) nor by witnessing the death of an obsessive fan who is struck by a car while attempting to get Myrtle's autograph… With reliably brilliant support from Cassavete-regular, Ben Gazzara, Opening Night is one of Cassavete's most accessible films and one of Gena Rowland's finest performances.
