The Opening Act

Amazing film giving insight into the trials and tribulations of making it as a stand-up comic. With a film about stand-up, you'd expect scene after scene of polished, fall-out-of-your seat comedy & laughs. This is not the case with this movie. While there are some very funny scenes, much of the stand-up by the lead character is awkward and falls flat. And that's exactly the point. The film is about obstacles & rejection, about finding your own voice, and about how difficult it is to create even just a few moments that can bring laughter to people's lives. Steve Byrne reveals the pain that lies beneath surface, the self-doubt, and the courage it takes to go after your dream night after night. Great cameos by lots of familiar faces, and a solid performance by Jimmy O. Yang. But the real revelation is from Cedric the Entertainer. Grounded and moving performance. The guy has real acting chops. Kudos to Steve Byrne for continually going after his dream.

I loved The Opening Act, it's so funny :D one of the best comedy movies ever!!! It has (like many movies) a message, that it's best to tell the truth, but above all it was very funny. This movie is absolutely hilarious!

Well, the 2020 movie about working in the stand-up comedy scene actually turned out to be better than I had anticipated that it would. I sat down to watch "The Opening Act" without really knowing what the plot was, nor had I actually heard about the movie prior to watching it. But I was given the chance to sit down and watch it, so of course I did. Sure, the storyline was sort of predictable and very straight forward, but it proved to be enjoyable enough. It is not something that will revolutionize the comedy genre, by no means. But it turned out to be adequately entertaining. However, it was the acting performances that made the movie rise up and out of mediocrity. For a movie that has the likes of Cedric the Entertainer, Bill Burr, Iliza Shlesinger and Ken Jeong on the cast list, then the movie was actually phenomenally carried by lead actor Jimmy O. Yang. He really performed quite well and rather believably as well. The way those awkward scenes where he bummed out on the scenes were just cringeworthy to watch, and he pulled those off phenomenally well. This was definitely his movie for the most parts. "The Opening Act" has a good mixture of both comedy and a good storyline at heart, so there is a little bit of something for just about everyone sitting down to watch it I think. There are some good jokes in the movie and definitely some good performances. This is, however, unfortunately not a movie that I believe has the contents to support more than a single viewing. Don't get me wrong here, because the story was good and the movie was entertaining, but the plot just doesn't really offer enough to carry more than a single viewing. My rating of "The Opening Act" is a six out of ten stars.

Such a stellar cast and story. It captures the nuance of not only working as a comedian. but it captures the nuance of what it means to take that first step and follow your dreams! It was so dang funny and honest and real.

Absolutely loved this movie, i was so scared for him in parts, totally unexpected emotional rollercoaster. incredible story, Jimmy O killed it, and great cameos from every comedian in LA it seemed. this movie was incredibly inspirational in a time incredibly lacking, thanks💜

With an incredibly stacked cast of some of the funniest comedians working today, Steve Byrne captured the anxiety, excitement, and fun of jumping from day job to full time comedian. It's funny, heartfelt, and a beautiful love letter to the art.

An honest look into the world of stand-up comedy and comedy clubs. Featuring an all-star cast, this film taps into life on the road as a performer. Fun, funny and real. Added bonus it was written and directed by a professional comedian. Definitely worth watching.