The Opening Act

Released Oct 16, 2020

1 hr. 30 min.

Comedy

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List

81%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Will Chu is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life, becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, he’ll have to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.

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Critics Consensus

With The Opening Act, writer-director Steve Byrne offers perceptive insights on the struggles faced by budding stand-up comedians -- and creative dreamers in general.

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Gillian M

Wow. How have I never heard of this movie before now? Wonderful depiction of breaking in to stand up. Amazing cast! Jimmy O. Yang gave an incredible performance!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Self-indulgent tedious pablum.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

raphael g

It was fine... funny.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

a a

Great cast of comedians. Jimmy OYang kills it in the lead. Totally worth the watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I saw The Opening Act over the weekend...really enjoyed it. It was shot well, story was engaging and loved the use of all the comics in it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This guy just might possibly be the worst stand up comedian I ever saw in my life 2.3. I can’t stress enough how terrible of a stand up this guy was at stand up . It inspires me to give stand up a shot . Tom segura legit made a 30 second appearance and was great

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/14/20

Full Review

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Steve Byrne

Director

Jimmy O. Yang

Will O'Brien

Alex Moffat

Chris

Cedric the Entertainer

Billy G

Neal Brennan

Chip

Bill Burr

Barry

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The Opening Act: Trailer 1

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Owen Gleiberman

Variety

Jimmy O. Yang gives a slyly appealing performance as a comic who may be too good a person to be a nightclub star.

Oct 19, 2020

Full Review

Robyn Bahr

Hollywood Reporter

Lacking tangible emotional depth, and, frankly, much laugh-out-loud humor at all, The Opening Act is surprisingly underdeveloped for an intimate story about ambition and sacrifice.

Oct 16, 2020

Full Review

Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

A very insightful insider-baseball look at the creative process.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 16, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Far too lightweight of a indie.

Rated: C+

Jan 17, 2021

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Only a veteran comedian could make The Opening Act a reality.

Jan 4, 2021

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

If you're not a fan of stand-up comedy, you may not be a fan of this film. For Steve Byrne's first feature film, the adage is still true-"write what you know."

Rated: 8/10

Jan 4, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Will Chu is stuck in a thankless job while trying to pursue his true passion in life, becoming a stand-up comedian. When he gets the opportunity he’s been waiting for, the emcee slot on the road opening for his hero Billy G., the realities of life on the stage come crashing in. Between relentless hecklers, drunk comedy groupies and hard-to-impress morning radio DJs, things get off to a rough start. Even if he can learn from his idols and overcome the challenges, he’ll have to prove he has what it takes to make his dream a reality.

Director: Steve Byrne
Executive Producer: Dean Buchanan, Matthew B. Schmidt, Michael Shader
Screenwriter: Steve Byrne
Distributor: RLJE Films
Production Co: Look to the Sky Films, Wild West Picture Show Productions
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 16, 2020

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