Skip to main content

OPENING NIGHT review

Image
By


2017
Directed By: Isaac Rentz
Starring: Topher Grace, Anne Heche, Alona Tal, JC Chasez, Lauren Lapkus, Taye Diggs, Paul Scheer, and Rob Riggle

A Stage Manager has one of the most difficult and underappreciated jobs in a theatrical production. Its a nebulous position where an individual acts as assistant to the director and production staff during the rehearsal period and then runs the production during the actual performance. Nick (Grace) is a former Broadway Actor turned Stage Manager who is running the opening night performance of "ONE HIT WONDERLAND." A musical that's something like A CHRISTMAS CAROL filtered through the artistic integrity of a THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC vol. 16 CD. Nick best sums up this play when he says "who wrote this shit."

Nick's inability to admit he is still in love with Chloe (Tal), a year after he broke up with her, and paralyzing stage fright have left him cynical and broken. He masks his fear with contempt and a general above it all attitude that (oddly enough) makes him a really good stage manager. He's calm in the face of dysfunction and chaos, dealing with everything from death to drug addiction with grace and poise. 

It's hard to tell what the exact plot of "ONE HIT WONDERLAND" is, but from the few scenes we do see, its clearly a story that Nick relates to and thereby dismisses. Its nothing more than shielding, cheap transparent armor he wears to protect himself from his vulnerability. It's a silly musical starring "the other" member of N'SYNC (Chaesz) but for Nick it cuts a bit too close. He sees himself as a one hit wonder, who blew his big shot. He had a chance at both personal and professional success and he dropped the ball. 

While Topher Grace is the lead of OPENING NIGHT, this is an ensemble film where even the most minor characters are given moments to shine. A majority of the characters here appear to be paper thin at first but as the film goes on we see depth in even the most absurd characters. The exception to this is Mr. Goldmeyer (Riggle) who is truly an exercise in one dimensional caricature, and one of the funniest performances I've seen this year. It should also be noted that Anne Heche, Taye Diggs, and Paul Scheer are all wonderful in the film. They embody their characters with a perfect blend of humor and humanity that's rarely seen. The casting here is impeccable from top to bottom. 

OPENING NIGHT is a film about facing fear and overcoming the obstacles we place in our own way. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET and THE WIZARD OF OZ are ostensibly about the same thing but Rentz has injected his story with vibrant characters that make the film original and fresh. This is a film that will make even the most hardened cinema goer smile. I was delighted to spend 83 minutes in this world and can't wait to see what Rentz has in store for us next.

OPENING NIGHT will be available on DVD via Wolfe Video on August 1st.



Opening Night Trailer from Wolfe Video on Vimeo.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Explaining the Ending of MULHOLLAND DRIVE

By
MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...
Read More

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

By
The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...
Read More

4K Blu-ray Review: Drop (2025) — A Tense, Tech-Driven Thriller That Mostly Sticks the Landing

By
In Drop, director Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day) crafts a nerve-wracking thriller centered on a devastating dilemma: would you take a life to save the ones you love? The story follows Violet, a widowed single mom attempting to re-enter the dating world after years of grief and recovery. Played with emotional precision by Meghann Fahy, Violet finds herself on a promising first date with the affable and seemingly genuine Henry (Brandon Sklenar) in an elegant, glass-walled Chicago restaurant. But their evening takes a sinister turn when Violet receives a disturbing message via a sleek, anonymous app called DigiDrop: if she doesn’t kill her date before the check arrives, her son and sister will die. What unfolds is a tightly wound 95-minute thriller that feels both classic and timely. The film builds its suspense through confinement, not action. Most of the story unfolds in real-time at their dinner table, creating a pressure-cooker environment that reflects Violet’s psycholo...
Read More