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The Opening Act

Play trailer 2:03 Poster for The Opening Act 2020 1h 30m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
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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The Opening Act

The Opening Act

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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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Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Variety Oct 19, 2020
Jimmy O. Yang gives a slyly appealing performance as a comic who may be too good a person to be a nightclub star. Go to Full Review Robyn Bahr The Hollywood Reporter Oct 16, 2020
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. Go to Full Review Sheila O'Malley RogerEbert.com Oct 16, 2020
3/4
A very insightful insider-baseball look at the creative process. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Jan 17, 2021
C+
Far too lightweight of a indie. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jan 4, 2021
Only a veteran comedian could make The Opening Act a reality. Go to Full Review Alan Ng Film Threat Jan 4, 2021
8/10
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." Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S. O @Col._Angus Sep 1, 2026 Lots of good stuff here. And a great cast of comedians. If you like stand-up you'll probably like this. See more Jan 21, 2022 Self-indulgent tedious pablum. See more raphael g @raphagimenes Mar 27, 2021 It was fine... funny. See more a a @AAAAAA521 Feb 15, 2021 Great cast of comedians. Jimmy OYang kills it in the lead. Totally worth the watch. See more Nov 23, 2020 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. See more Nov 14, 2020 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 See more Read all reviews
The Opening Act

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Opening Act

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Peter Billingsley, Sefton Fincham, Vince Vaughn
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
Runtime
1h 30m
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