Review of Mikey and Nicky (1976) by Eric R — 06 Sep 2011

Nickey is a small time gangster who has just managed to piss off the mob. He believes his life is in danger so he contacts his longtime friend, Mikey to help. The film chronicles their night together as Mikey tries to help Nickey get out of town.

Throughout the night, the two strong willed men continually clash and argue but their is still this genuine sense of two men who understand each other deeply. This has got to be one of the greatest films about friendship I have ever seen.

Both John Cassavetes and Peter Faulk are so good together that this film makes me want to be an actor. Cassavetes as the paranoid off-kilter Nikey is just dynamic, while Falk's character is the perfect compliment.

Both men are raw and rather nasty individuals and watching these two acting legends work together is just amazing. The script is also fantastic and it feels incredibly genuine, never feeling anything like a movie.

Its comedic, dramatic, and ultimately heartbreaking. The film does have plenty of low budget problems with crew members randomly being in a few shots and the boom mic coming into frame a few times but it really doesnt matter.

The film is so engrossing I barely noticed and really, does that matter when it comes to a good or bad movie? I am starting to think that Elaine May could be the best female director ever. It's amazing she only directed a few films, but Heartbreak Kid and Mikey and Nicky are masterpieces.