Holy Mary Mother of AWESOME!

You need to see Opening Night (1977). There is nothing like it. These pictures are boring but they were all I could find. This movie contains:

• one of the best performances I've ever seen (Gena Rowlands)
• the best exploration of what it's like to work in the theater (an exploration which DOESN'T make fun of us), especially perhaps for a woman
  
• one of the most shocking "shock moments" I've ever seen
• one of the most suspenseful sequences I've ever seen
• one of the most extended and nerve-wracking improvs I've ever seen (between Rowlands and John Cassavetes, no less, real-life life partners)
• one of the best apartments I've ever seen
• and one of the best DVD bonus features I've ever seen (a 20 minute present day conversation about the movie between Rowlands and Ben Gazzara)

If you act in or direct or write plays, you should see this. I've been waiting for it to be available on DVD and it was worth it. It's one of the best movies I've seen in years. Like all Cassavetes movies, it's a mental, emotional and time investment (2.5 hrs), but if you tune into it it pays off.