Laura Johnson emerged in the late 1970s as a distinctive voice in cult cinema. In Opening Night (1977), she delivers a compelling performance that captures the tension and drama of the theater world. Her role in Nick Knight (1989) further solidifies her connection to the genre, as she navigates the complexities of a vampire narrative. Johnson's work in these films exemplifies the unique blend of artistry and exploitation that defines cult cinema, making her a noteworthy figure in the SassyFlix catalog.
Opening Night
Actress Myrtle Gordon (Gena Rowlands) is a functioning alcoholic actress 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. Beautiful film, pure Cassavetes style. Gena Rowland gives a stunning performance of a declining actress, dealing with success, aging, loneliness…and alcoholism. She tries to escape her own subconscious ghosts, embodied by the death spectre of a young girl. Acceptance of oneself, of human condition, though its overall difficulties, is the real purpose of the film. The parallel between the theatrical sequences and the film itself are puzzling: it’s like if the stage became a way out for the Heroin. If all american movies could only be that top-quality, dealing with human relations on an adult level, not trying to infantilize and standardize feelings…
