By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3.9 cats
Director: Cody Fern
Starring: Dianne Weist | Naomi Watts | Odessa A'zion | Sarah Paulson | Toby Wallace
Year: 2026
Running time: 115
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36959329/
Michael says: “Fern Cody’s CLOSING NIGHT is a difficult film. It’s also a tear-jerker, and a laugh-out-loud experience. When celebrated stage and film actress Sandra Vale (a tightly wound Sarah Paulson), takes the Broadway stage in ‘Mother Courage and her Children,’ she invites her estranged mother and sister to attend opening night for a family reunion after thirty years. Mom (Dianne Wiest in rare form) doesn’t show, but sister April (a painfully, yet beautifully scattered Naomi Watts) arrives — not because of any love shared with her sister, but to check in on her son, Theo (Toby Wallace) and his partner Lucy (Odessa A’Zion). All the pieces are in place before a sudden occurrence sweeps them all off the board, setting up a fairly deft melodrama with moment of unexpected humor.
“Director Cody Fern and his co-wrtier Devon Bostick, both actors (Fern last seen in FAIRYLAND, and in television’s ‘American Crime Story’; Bostick most recently in MILE END KICKS) take on an ambitious project for their debut narrative. Their decision to go broad, enhancing the melodrama while amping up the humor, is a tricky one that won’t work for some, but did for me. They are ably assisted by their more than capable cast. Watts is particularly strong, and what a joy to see Wiest in such a comedic role again. For a first-time filmmaker, it’s got some rough edges, but the overall result worked for me. 4 cats
“Screened at Scotiabank Theater, Sunday 9/13, director co-writer in attendance”