John Cassavetes 1980’s

Gloria (1979 / 1980 / 1981)

C. – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: One Summer Night
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Gena Rowlands, Buck Henry, Julie Carmen, Tom Noonan, Ray Baker, John Finnegan and Lawrence Tierney.

After the death of his father, a young boy is taken on the lam through New York City by a woman who is in possession of a book that the mob wants. While the film is hardly Cassavetes’ best work, it is still interesting to watch. Rowlands and the cast are in fine form. It is worth watching because of them, if for no other reason. Remade in 1999 by Sidney Lumet with Sharon Stone, Cathy Moriarty, George C. Scott, Mike Starr and Bobby Cannavale. 

Rated: [PG]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Love Streams (1984)

C. – 141m. / 122m. (VHS)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen.
Dir.: John Cassavetes. Writers: Terry Allen & John Cassavetes
Starring: Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Diahnne Abbott, Seymour Cassel, Margaret Abbott and John Finnegan.

Two estranged siblings who are wounded and emotionally connected reunite. This was originally a failed stage production. Cassavetes kept the original writer, Terry Allen, so busy with rewrites that he quit after a certain point. Cassavetes then mounted a stage production of it. After Cassavetes outlived his, “six months to live,” diagnosis, he mounted this film version of the play he had put on. Rather than a play that ran all day, it became this shortened version. A masterfully done film that should be viewed at it’s 141 minute full running length rather than the 122 minute heavily edited VHS copy in the USA. For those who love seeing Cassavetes’ work, this will not disappoint. Do note however that it is not a fast moving film and therefore takes a while to develop the characters and plot. Once it gets going though, it is strong and rich in performances and cinematography. Sadly the final Masterful film made by Cassavetes. He only made one more film after this as a director before his death at age 59 on February 3, 1989. 

Trivia: John Voight was originally slated to play Robert Harmon as he did in the play, but left the film due to scheduling conflicts and, “creative differences,” with John Cassavetes. This was the final film teaming of real life husband and wife John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands while Cassavetes was alive. A film he had written, She’s So Lovely (She’s De-Lovely (1997)) was made with Rowlands after Cassavetes’ death. And finally: Due to John Cassavetes’ poor health Peter Bogdanovich directed a few scenes.   

Rated: [PG–13]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Criterion Collection.

Big Trouble (1986)

C. – 93m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Beverly D’Angelo, Charles Durning, Paul Dooley, Richard Libertini and John Finnegan.

Insurance agents plot with their client to kill her nutty husband. Semi–amusing comedy has much of the same talent from The In–Laws (1979) but lacks the spunk of that film until near the end of the picture. Largely however this is another remake of the Billy Wilder classic, Double Indemnity (1944). Double Indemnity was remade for the first time in 1973 under the same title, then there was this version in 1986, and it was remade again as Double Jeopardy (1999), with Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd. Your mileage for this film may vary, depending on your acceptance of the characters as portrayed by the actors and Cassavetes work as a director.  

Trivia: When Universal sold the rights for a Double Indemnity (1944) remake to Columbia Pictures, they in turn got the rights to Back To The Future (1985). John Cassavetes replaced Andrew Bergman as director of this film. And this film turned out to be Cassavetes’ final picture before his death at age 59 on February 3, 1989.

Rated: [R]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy.  

John Cassavetes 1970’s

Husbands (1970)

C. – 142m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Husbands: A Comedy About Life, Death And Freedom
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Nick Cassavetes, Xan Cassavetes and K.C. Townsend.

A group of friends have a midlife crisis after their friend’s untimely death at a young–ish age. This is a masterful tale of men trying to find meaning in their lives after the untimely death of their friend. This was Cassavetes getting his pain over his brother’s death out of his system. Pacing is a bit slow but the performances are spot on and the film should be used as a tool to view men’s psychological process around deaths, particularly their friends’ deaths. Much of the material in the film was improvised and written later, as such, it took a few years to make. At one point this existed in a very long cut and was a riot of a comedy. Cassavetes to the dismay of studio executives recut it to what it is here. What remains is a rather powerful set of performances with commentary on something all men go through when confronted with death of people close to them. Cassavetes, Falk and Gazzara did a noteworthy piece of publicity for the film on The Dick Cavett Show. They were drunk and acting silly, this pissed Cavett off and he even walked off stage during the taping due to it. Only during a commercial break did their (Falk, Cassavetes and Gazzara’s) manager shake them and reprimand them. The rest of the show they behaved. Cavett viewed that experience as THE WORST interview he had to conduct. This film and that interview should be part of The Criterion Collection.

Rated: [PG–13] – Mature Thematic Elements Including Sexual Situations, Language, Drunkenness, & Brief Domestic Violence.
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy.

Minnie And Moskowitz (1971)

C. – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: John Cassavetes’ Minnie And Moskowitz, John Cassavetes’ Minnie & Moskowitz, Minnie & Moskowitz
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Val Avery, Timothy Carey, Katherine Cassavetes, Lady Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Xan Cassavetes, Zoe R. Cassavetes and Roberta Collins.

A museum curator falls in love with a crazy parking attendant. An interesting premise delivers a mildly entertaining film. Nothing more, nothing less. One piece of trivia: Universal cut a scene at the beginning of the film, when it was released, that violated the contract they had with John Cassavetes. That scene has never been restored. This reviewer would be interested in seeing what was cut.

Rated: [GP]
Not Available on video in the USA. Bootlegged on YouTube.com.

A Woman Under The Influence (1974)

C. – 155m. / 146m. (Turner Classic Movies Print)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen (Intended Ratio) / 1.37:1 – Fullscreen (Negative Ratio)
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Fred Draper, Lady Rowlands, Katherine Cassavetes, Matthew Cassel, John Finnegan, Frank Richards, Xan Cassavetes, and N.J. Cassavetes.

A woman’s married life suffers from her mental illness. Gripping performances put across this uneasy to watch film. Everyone here is in top form. Oscar® Nominated for Best Director – John Cassavetes and Best Actress – Gena Rowlands, though it won neither. On a trivia note: Martin Scorsese threatened to pull his film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974) from the major New York City Film Festival unless the also took in this film.

Rated: [R]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Criterion Collection

The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976)

C. – 135m. (1976 Theatrical Release) / 109m. (1978 Theatrical Rerelease)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel, Robert Phillips, Morgan Woodward and John Finnegan.

A gambling nightclub owner gets into hot water with the mob. The only way to clear his debt, make a hit for them. Will he do it? This film was from an idea developed by John Cassavetes and Martin Scorsese years earlier. Sadly this was the misfired version of that idea. Even in two cuts (the latter being heavily edited) the film doesn’t shine. A curio at best.

Rated: [R]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Criterion Collection

Opening Night (1977)

C. – 144m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Joan Blondell, Paul Stewart, John Finnegan, Fred Draper, Katherine Cassavetes, Lady Rowlands, Peter Bogdanovich, Seymour Cassel, Peter Falk, and Naomi Stevens.

A stage star suffers a mental breakdown after one of her fans dies trying to see her. This film has a sad story line to be sure but what a wonderful way to put it across. Very, very moving and nuanced performances here, particularly by Rowlands. Doubts, regrets, obsession, rejuvenation, etc.; all perfectly executed. As with any other Cassavetes film, this is slow paced. An interest in performances, particularly live ones will help in appreciating this wonderfully masterful film.  

Rated: [PG–13]
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Criterion Collection

John Cassavetes 1950’s & 1960’s

Shadows (1959)

B&W – 87m. / 81m
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes. Pro.: Seymour Cassel.
Starring: John Cassavetes, Seymour Cassel, Bobby Darin and Gena Rowlands.

An improvised look at interracial relationships in Beat–Era (1950’s) New York City. Largely improvised and then written later by Cassavetes and his acting class students. While there is a loosely structured story in place, it is more performance driven. Commendable but contrived. Daring for its time but tame by today’s standards. Please be aware that the big named stars are not credited here. John Cassavete’s directorial debut.

Rated: [PG]
Part of The Criterion Collection. Available on Blu – ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Johnny Staccato: The Complete Series (1959 – 1960)

B&W – 804m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
One Dir.: John Cassavetes

Starring: John Cassavetes, Eduardo Ciannelli, John Williams, Shirley Knight, Elizabeth Montgomery, Gena Rowlands, Dean Stockwell, Geraldine Brooks, Cloris Leachman, Mary Tyler Moore, Paul Stewart, Nita Talbot, Martin Landau, Michael Landon, Elizabeth Patterson, Tom Reese, John Marley, Sig Ruman, Harry Tyler, Susan Oliver, June Foray and Steve Allen.

A private detective who likes to play Jazz Piano in his spare time solves murder mysteries, prevents bombs going off, etc. An intelligent show that had great music and acting… Sadly, Cassavetes burned out on the show and canned it after one season. Thankfully the episodes still survive!

Available on DVD.

Too Late Blues (1961)

B&W – 103m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy)
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Bobby Darin, Stella Stevens, Seymour Cassel, John Cassavetes and Don Siegel.

A poisonous love affair between a self-righteous musician and a female singer starts and continues. Is it helping or hurting their careers? Troublesome film is far from a walk in the park emotionally but fine performances are given and that must be commended. A little more plot would have helped too. This may feel claustrophobic for some given the structure of two or three people in a scene at a time during the dramatic moments. Darin does his best impression of Cassavetes in the film.

Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.

A Child Is Waiting (1963)

B&W – 104m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: John Cassavetes. Pro.: Stanley Kramer
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, Steven Hill, Paul Stewart, Lawrence Tierney, John Marley, Bill Mumy, Elizabeth Wilson and John Cassavetes.

A psychiatrist brings in a new teacher at an asylum for the mentally retarded and she starts to form attachments. Meanwhile one kid in the asylum forms a bond with her and starts to come out of his shell. A masterfully done tale of humanity, also serves as a historical document in the development of how people with Autism / Asperger’s Syndrome were lumped in with the retarded and how they all were treated. Cassavetes wanted to focus more on the kids because he started to view them as interesting characters. Kramer kicked him out of the editing process and did a bit of re-shooting to bring the film to that balance that it is now. As much as Kramer shifted the focus of the film masterfully to the middle ground of how the adults at the asylum act with their charges, Cassavetes captured the children in an accepting light. A must watch film for anyone with Autism Level 1 / Asperger’s Syndrome and their parents; not to mention people in disability services, Vocational Rehab and anyone interested in mental health. Some of this may be hard to watch for some, but it is well worth it in the end.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Faces (1968)

B&W – 130m
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Dynosaurs
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel and Anne Shirley. 

Be sure to check out the 18 minute alternate opening on the Criterion Collection DVD and / or Blu–ray.

Former husband and wife respectively enter into relationships with younger partners as they try to find romance in the new pairings. A broad story is masterfully handled by Cassavetes and the cast. A must watch for the performances!

Trivia: Steven Spielberg became friendly with Cassavetes and served as a production assistant for two weeks on this film. This was after Cassavetes allowed Spielberg to direct him for a day. Steve Buscemi has said that this is his favorite film. Woody Allen and Robert Altman said that this film inspired some of their films. The original cut of this film ran for around six hours. That cut no longer exists but the script for it is available in book form. There are several different versions of this film.

Rated: [R]
Part of The Criterion Collection.
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.