The read
A Balasaur Score of 80 out of 100, drawn from IMDb 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, Metacritic 69/100. Scores higher than 89% of the 1,065 1970s drama movies in this catalog. Streaming on Max.
Synopsis
Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.
Ratings
IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic69/100
267 audience votes
Key crew
- John CassavetesWriter
- John CassavetesDirector
- Bo HarwoodOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Gena RowlandsMyrtle Gordon
- John CassavetesMaurice Aarons
- Ben GazzaraManny Victor
- Joan BlondellSarah Goode
- Paul StewartDavid Samuels
- Zohra LampertDorothy Victor
- Laura JohnsonNancy Stein
- John TuellGus Simmons
- Ray PowersJimmy
- John FinneganBobby
- Louise LewisKelly (as Louise Fitch)
- Fred DraperLeo
Stills
Movies like Opening Night
Themes
alcoholautographagingapparitioncar accidentnervous breakdownobsessed fanalcoholicbroadway starstage playbroadway theatrelost youth