‘Closing Night’ Review: A Ferocious Sarah Paulson Buoys Cody Fern’s Directorial Debut

Cody Fern's directorial debut, "Closing Night," features a strong cast led by Sarah Paulson, who delivers a powerful performance as Sandra Vale. The film follows four characters - Sandra, her estranged sister April (Naomi Watts), her mother Diane (Dianne Wiest), and April's son Theo (Toby Wallace) - as they gather for the opening night of Sandra's Broadway play. The central theme revolves around the journey of reconciliation, forgiveness, and confronting buried truths within families.

Despite the compelling performances from the four central actors, the film struggles to find a natural rhythm and avoid predictability. The narrative relies heavily on shouting matches to convey the inner turmoil of the characters, which may not always be the most effective method of expression. Still, Paulson's portrayal of Sandra remains a standout, embodying the complex emotions of an irascible yet deeply human character.

The cinematography by Yves Bélanger is noteworthy for its patient and focused approach to capturing the characters' facial expressions, revealing the subtleties of their emotions. The film's humor, however, sometimes appears unintentionally cringeworthy, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as self-harm and suicide. This may be a deliberate choice made by Fern and Bostick, but the mixed reactions from the audience suggest uncertainty in the filmmakers' grasp of their script.

Overall, "Closing Night" presents a thought-provoking exploration of familial relationships and the impact of hidden truths, but succeeds more as a rehearsal for the filmmakers' future works rather than a fully realized masterpiece.