MovieChat Forums > Opening Night (1978) Discussion > A film that requires a second viewing?

A film that requires a second viewing?

posted 12 years ago by mk_k6-326-626621
2 replies | jump to latest

I saw a film called Gloria not to long ago and was blown away by the performance of the actress Gena Rowlands. Im only 22 so was not familiar with her work before hand, but have since become determined to see everything this woman has done - kicking off with this film.

I had a mixed reaction to this film - The first 30 or so minutes were not promising..the characters were unlikeable, the pace of the film seemed slow, and a bit too much camera time was given to characters who had little to do with the story - namely the producers wife/partner rolling around on the bed??..but i stuck with it untill I saw a scene where Gena, on stage, after not being able to light her cigarette again suddenly just knocks over the ashtray in the middle of her performance. It was so understated, so missable, so detailed...this is a director who clearly wants the audience to work.

Im still slightly unsure about what was wrong with Genas character - was it shock? insanity? or was she just a drunk? - this unsure ending is both good and bad.

So, does a second viewing illuminate it all or is it just a case of making up your own interpretation?

[–] FattyBoombilatti 11 years ago

To me it gets better and better every time you see it. The characters and the themes/ideas get richer with each viewing.

[–] chuck-526 8 years ago

My own personal (and admittedly not-very-knowledgeable) opinion:

There is no answer, at least not in the film itself. Interpretations are all over the map, and they're all supported by the incredibly ambiguous film.

What's wrong with Myrtle? Well, maybe alcoholism, or maybe a midlife crisis, or maybe the shock of a fan dying, or maybe she doesn't like the play, or maybe she can't deal with playing opposite a former lover, or maybe nothing (i.e. an actor's "normal" tricks for getting "in character" are so weird they freak out lots of other people). Why is she thinking about age? maybe because she's getting older herself, or maybe because the material of the play forces it (i.e. the concern with age really belongs to Sarah not Myrtle), or maybe because those around her force her to, or maybe because nobody will take her concerns about the play seriously until she confronts the age problem.

Was Nancy a real person who died? Or was she entirely Myrtle's hallucination?

The ending can be either highly positive, or highly negative, or something in between. It could be Myrtle's banishing her demons and celebrating the "Opening Night" of the rest of her life. It could be the momentary success of making the audience enjoy itself (and making the play better) even while drunk doesn't really cover up the fact Myrtle's career is declining.

Pick a different interpretation, watch it again, rinse and repeat...