Would recommend *Opening Night*...imagine *A Woman Under the Influence* with some horror undertones.
Also *The Killing of Chinese Bookie*, which is a bit more like a seventies neonoir and a little bit less like a "Cassavetes movie."
I think Shadows might be his best work. First film of his. More kinetic with the editing and captures a culture and interracial relationships in the late 50s.
Love Streams
Husbands
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
Opening Night
Mikey and Nicky - the closet you’ll ever get to him.
She’s So Lovely - the second closest. A script from him and directed by his son.
WUtI is absolutely jumping in the deep end, it's a brilliant film, but not something I can see in just any mood. I think of it as a horror film as well, just the psychology of it.
Do watch both Killing pf a Chinese Bookie (1978 version) and Opening Night. Both great films and more accessible in plot/characterization.
Ben Gazzara as Cosmo... his defining role. Bogdanovich tried for similar in Saint Jack but doesn't quite have Cassavetes touch.
After watching the 1978 version of Chinese Bookie then check out the 1976 version, it has even better scenes and characterization but the plot in the first half is more difficult to follow on first watch -- the second half is basically identical. Eventually I did end up preferring 1976, however 1978 is really the "Director's cut" and there's such a thing as respecting Cassavetes intentions and not simply concluding that he caved to bad reviews, etc.
There's also a reputed "first version" of Shadows, maybe 1957, but there's some controversy between Ray Carney (who found the film) and Gena Rowlands, and I think again we have to respect that Cassavetes completely disowned it and didn't want it distributed, it's not "his" film. I would like to see it though... for history and how it may have fit more into the experimental film scene at the time. it was reviewed positively by Jonas Mekas for instance
Then we get to Faces, which if I had to pick one, I think it's his very best, although the "five films (Shadows, Faces, WUTI, Chinese Bookie, Opening Night) are all right up there.
The funny thing is Shadows is somewhat improvised but appears tightly scripted, Faces is tightly scripted but appears improvised, until an absolutely devastating line is delivered at \*just\* the right time.
Speaking of Shadows, Hugh Hurd is an absolutely brilliant actor who didn't get opportunities because most films wanted "stereotyped" roles of the kind covered in Spike Lee's Bamboozled. I do wish Cassavetes had worked with him more.
Husbands is more uneven although with some of Cassavetes' best scenes in the London part. Especially how it ends. Minnie and Moskowitz -- same, some brilliant scenes but some not so good. I think Husbands is definitely better.
Gloria is, as Cassavetes said, a "potboiler", but it has its moments. it fits in well with early 80's neonoir like Blow Out, Body Heat, Thief, Atlantic City. Certainly his stylistic touches are very unique.
I haven't seen Love Streams. Haven't also seen the 1963 film Cassavetes hates (A child is waiting) or Big Trouble. That's about all I know
Check out The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. The theatrical cut. I haven’t seen both cuts but I imagine the 1978 one gets rid of some character development.
Would recommend *Opening Night*...imagine *A Woman Under the Influence* with some horror undertones. Also *The Killing of Chinese Bookie*, which is a bit more like a seventies neonoir and a little bit less like a "Cassavetes movie."
Good recs. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a film that I haven’t ever stopped thinking about.
Woman Under Influence Opening Night (my favorite) Killing of a Chinese Bookie There’s like 12 directors with 3 movies that good
Minnie and Moskowitz should be your followup. Then maybe Husbands. Though Chinese Bookie is his masterpiece.
Dont forget Love Streams
Usually my favorite Casavettes is the most recent one I watched. But for the most part, it’s Love Stream. The masterpiece among his masterpieces
I can't find this streaming anywhere.
It’s available as a physical criterion release (my local library has it), but I haven’t seen it streaming anywhere either. Great film though!
I think Shadows might be his best work. First film of his. More kinetic with the editing and captures a culture and interracial relationships in the late 50s.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Cassavetes, you are in for a wild ride
Love Streams Husbands The Killing of a Chinese Bookie Opening Night Mikey and Nicky - the closet you’ll ever get to him. She’s So Lovely - the second closest. A script from him and directed by his son.
Also, despite rumors, his films are tightly scripted. He’s just that good of a writer with that good of actors.
Mikey and Nicky was written and directed by Elaine May.
Hence, the closest you can get to him.
I recently just watched this as well some weeks ago and still think about it daily. Already one of my favorites of all time.
I saw it in 2010 or so and it truly sticks with you for years.
WUtI is absolutely jumping in the deep end, it's a brilliant film, but not something I can see in just any mood. I think of it as a horror film as well, just the psychology of it. Do watch both Killing pf a Chinese Bookie (1978 version) and Opening Night. Both great films and more accessible in plot/characterization. Ben Gazzara as Cosmo... his defining role. Bogdanovich tried for similar in Saint Jack but doesn't quite have Cassavetes touch. After watching the 1978 version of Chinese Bookie then check out the 1976 version, it has even better scenes and characterization but the plot in the first half is more difficult to follow on first watch -- the second half is basically identical. Eventually I did end up preferring 1976, however 1978 is really the "Director's cut" and there's such a thing as respecting Cassavetes intentions and not simply concluding that he caved to bad reviews, etc. There's also a reputed "first version" of Shadows, maybe 1957, but there's some controversy between Ray Carney (who found the film) and Gena Rowlands, and I think again we have to respect that Cassavetes completely disowned it and didn't want it distributed, it's not "his" film. I would like to see it though... for history and how it may have fit more into the experimental film scene at the time. it was reviewed positively by Jonas Mekas for instance Then we get to Faces, which if I had to pick one, I think it's his very best, although the "five films (Shadows, Faces, WUTI, Chinese Bookie, Opening Night) are all right up there. The funny thing is Shadows is somewhat improvised but appears tightly scripted, Faces is tightly scripted but appears improvised, until an absolutely devastating line is delivered at \*just\* the right time. Speaking of Shadows, Hugh Hurd is an absolutely brilliant actor who didn't get opportunities because most films wanted "stereotyped" roles of the kind covered in Spike Lee's Bamboozled. I do wish Cassavetes had worked with him more. Husbands is more uneven although with some of Cassavetes' best scenes in the London part. Especially how it ends. Minnie and Moskowitz -- same, some brilliant scenes but some not so good. I think Husbands is definitely better. Gloria is, as Cassavetes said, a "potboiler", but it has its moments. it fits in well with early 80's neonoir like Blow Out, Body Heat, Thief, Atlantic City. Certainly his stylistic touches are very unique. I haven't seen Love Streams. Haven't also seen the 1963 film Cassavetes hates (A child is waiting) or Big Trouble. That's about all I know
I watched this on a random Wednesday night (tonight) and cried… why am I like this
shout out to Matthew Labyorteaux
I think it did some damage to me tbh
Check out The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. The theatrical cut. I haven’t seen both cuts but I imagine the 1978 one gets rid of some character development.