Far too lightweight of a indie.

| Original Score: C+ | Jan 17, 2021

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

| Jan 4, 2021

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."

| Original Score: 8/10 | Jan 4, 2021

You could make a documentary about modern stand-up comedy and it wouldn't have half the truth of The Opening Act.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Oct 19, 2020

The film showcases the struggle of aspiring stand-up comics with an A-list cast that helps deliver the laughs.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 19, 2020

Director Steve Bryne keeps "The Opening Act" light, immersive, and breezy, not pushing the boundaries of his script or characters beyond their capabilities with Jimmy Yang making the biggest impression among a sea of comedic giants.

| Original Score: B- | 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.

| Oct 19, 2020

This indie drama features several comedians in roles of all kinds, but, oddly, it has very few laughs; still, it works in its own quiet way. with touching characters and a fascinating setting.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 19, 2020

Yang generates sympathy with his awkward nervous energy, and the film resonates with behind-the-scenes authenticity.

| Oct 19, 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.

| Oct 16, 2020

When these characters talk ... The Opening Act becomes about generosity and encouragement ... [E]verything between those scenes doesn't live up to them.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 16, 2020

However, by concentrating on what motivates these performers to lay themselves bare as they do, the movie proves to be something more than just a one-note entertainment.

| Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Oct 16, 2020

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

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 16, 2020

Thoroughly entertaining, and a nice little indie that I hope people will discover for themselves.

| Oct 15, 2020

Byrne doesn't push his luck, keeping the movie simple and immersive, identifying the emotional roller coaster of the profession in a way few features have attempted.

| Original Score: B+ | Oct 15, 2020

The humor gets dicey whenever Steve Byrne shifts away from the standup set, but the movie has heart and an endearing cast

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 13, 2020

"The Opening Act" is sincere and soft focus, but these are not really compliments as this story needed a slightly harder edge to stand out.

| Oct 13, 2020

This low-key hangout comedy elicits a personal reflection on a stand-up's rocky road to self-actualization

| Oct 13, 2020

Byrne's personal connection to the material shines through, and the stand-up scenes deliver genuine laughs.

| Original Score: B- | Oct 12, 2020

Even as a fairly low-stakes comedy, Opening isn't comfortable in the sense of "easy," so much as it feels like a warm hug from someone who knows you well, even if they're going to spend all their waking hours screwing with you.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 12, 2020