10 of 10 stars.
Absolute Masterpiece by one of the best and most influential Directors in history, John Cassavetes. Cassavetes filmed this with a raw feel as he did with most of his Films. I think it is one of his 5 best Films, absolutely brilliantly performed and captured.
Cassavetes died so young that he only Directed a dozen Films during his career, but most Film Historians say that 9 of them were Masterpieces. If you've never seen a Film Directed by John Cassavetes, please watch one and you will see why he was so influential. He filmed them 'raw', they feel real. The only Masterpiece of the 9 listed below that is filmed 'normal' and less raw is 'A Child Is Waiting', and it shows he could Direct a Masterpiece in a normal and traditional style if needed. It's a good Film, but not a 'Masterpiece' imo, so I'd watch any of the other 9 if you've never seen his Films to give you a better idea of why he is so unique, and what he 'usually' did. Most Film Historians would probably put his 9 Masterpieces in this order:
1. A Woman Under The Influence (1974) 2. Love Streams (1984) 3. Shadows (1958) 4. Opening Night (1977) 5. Faces (1968) 6. Gloria (1980) 7. A Child Is Waiting (1963) 8. Minnie And Moskowitz (1971) 9. The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976)
I would put his 9 Masterpieces in this order:
1. Faces (1968) 2. A Woman Under The Influence (1974) 3. Opening Night (1977) 4. Love Streams (1984) 5. Minnie And Moskowitz (1971) 6. The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976) 7. Gloria (1980) 8. Shadows (1958) 9. Husbands (1970)
Minnie And Moskowitz stars Gena Rowlands and Seymour Cassel, alongside Val Avery.
Rowlands is on the short list of the best actresses in history, period, and it is performances like this that cause some Drama majors to watch her in a Film like this and change their Major back to finance. Her performance is free, natural, completely believable; a masterful performance. And it is almost perfectly matched by Seymour Cassel. He somehow keeps up with her every emotion, which shouldn't surprise anyone as he was such an amazing performer himself. Cassel seems to dance on high-wire without a net during the entire film, but never makes me think he even has a chance of losing his balance, incredible.
Val Avery is in a few scenes and is absolutely fantastic, almost perfect.
In a smaller but important part, Cassavetes includes a scene with Cassel and Timothy Carey. Carey is brilliant, absolutely A+ performance that helps set up Cassel's characters depth & personality, perfect in-set by Cassavetes. Cassavetes even has a small part in a couple of scenes, knocks it out of the park, he was almost as good of a performer as he was a Director.
Everyone in smaller parts, including the 2 Mom's (1 of which is played by Cassavetes real life Mom) is great in their roles.
This Film is a must see. Absolutely great performances captured brilliantly. This Film is a truly great piece of Filmed Cinema.
Absolute Masterpiece by one of the best and most influential Directors in history, John Cassavetes. Cassavetes filmed this with a raw feel as he did with most of his Films. I think it is one of his 5 best Films, absolutely brilliantly performed and captured.
Cassavetes died so young that he only Directed a dozen Films during his career, but most Film Historians say that 9 of them were Masterpieces. If you've never seen a Film Directed by John Cassavetes, please watch one and you will see why he was so influential. He filmed them 'raw', they feel real. The only Masterpiece of the 9 listed below that is filmed 'normal' and less raw is 'A Child Is Waiting', and it shows he could Direct a Masterpiece in a normal and traditional style if needed. It's a good Film, but not a 'Masterpiece' imo, so I'd watch any of the other 9 if you've never seen his Films to give you a better idea of why he is so unique, and what he 'usually' did. Most Film Historians would probably put his 9 Masterpieces in this order:
1. A Woman Under The Influence (1974) 2. Love Streams (1984) 3. Shadows (1958) 4. Opening Night (1977) 5. Faces (1968) 6. Gloria (1980) 7. A Child Is Waiting (1963) 8. Minnie And Moskowitz (1971) 9. The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976)
I would put his 9 Masterpieces in this order:
1. Faces (1968) 2. A Woman Under The Influence (1974) 3. Opening Night (1977) 4. Love Streams (1984) 5. Minnie And Moskowitz (1971) 6. The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie (1976) 7. Gloria (1980) 8. Shadows (1958) 9. Husbands (1970)
Minnie And Moskowitz stars Gena Rowlands and Seymour Cassel, alongside Val Avery.
Rowlands is on the short list of the best actresses in history, period, and it is performances like this that cause some Drama majors to watch her in a Film like this and change their Major back to finance. Her performance is free, natural, completely believable; a masterful performance. And it is almost perfectly matched by Seymour Cassel. He somehow keeps up with her every emotion, which shouldn't surprise anyone as he was such an amazing performer himself. Cassel seems to dance on high-wire without a net during the entire film, but never makes me think he even has a chance of losing his balance, incredible.
Val Avery is in a few scenes and is absolutely fantastic, almost perfect.
In a smaller but important part, Cassavetes includes a scene with Cassel and Timothy Carey. Carey is brilliant, absolutely A+ performance that helps set up Cassel's characters depth & personality, perfect in-set by Cassavetes. Cassavetes even has a small part in a couple of scenes, knocks it out of the park, he was almost as good of a performer as he was a Director.
Everyone in smaller parts, including the 2 Mom's (1 of which is played by Cassavetes real life Mom) is great in their roles.
This Film is a must see. Absolutely great performances captured brilliantly. This Film is a truly great piece of Filmed Cinema.