Archive for the ‘John Cassavetes’ Category:
A Woman Under the Influence
Cassavetes most accomplished achievement. Staggeringly honest. Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk are mesmerizing. The love that permeates every scene is overwhelming. There are no easy answers throughout this heart-wrenching family drama. (Although, it is not without its humor.) The main protagonist is a woman who feels influenced to behave and act a certain way. In some respects, she represents the artist’s spirit – that which does not fall victim to conformism. In the end though, it’s the heart-felt emotion towards the family (in particular the kids) that makes this film an indelible emotional experience.
Husbands
Cassavetes in his most jaw-dropping and revealing portrayal of flawed characters. Unforgettable.
Love Streams
Cassavetes’ final masterpiece. A culmination of his life’s work. Filmmaking like this is as rare as a three-eyed cat.
Minnie and Moskowitz
The screwiest screwball comedy there is. One of the most unique “true love” stories. Seymour Cassel and Rowlands are truly remarkable.
Faces
Cassavetes’ first masterpiece. Incredibly groundbreaking for its time. True hysteria captured with an unflinching eye.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
The definitive Cassavetes film. His attempt at film noir. Brilliant stuff. To hell with “slick” movie-making!
Opening Night
Cassavetes’ most challenging film. Perfectly capturing the female star dealing with old age. This was his and Gena’s answer to Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”
Gloria
Cassavetes wrote this script with Gena in mind. He never intended on directing it. It’s most definitely his most commercial film. (Leon the Professional stole a great deal from it.) Rowlands is a sight to behold and the child actor is also absolutely wonderful. Despite its Hollywood story (and over the top score), Cassavetes still manages to imbue definitive non-cliche moments, with original dialogue and honest character moments.
Shadows
Cassavetes’ groundbreaking debut. While the French New Wave were making headlines overseas, Cassavetes was unassumingly making this little gem. Instigating the birth of Independent American Cinema.
Mikey and Nicky
The best Cassavetes film not made by Cassavetes. Elaine May directed this masterpiece film noir. Cassavetes stars (and co-wrote) along with Peter Falk. May is one of the most underrated filmmakers of the 70s.
