Review of Mikey and Nicky (1976) by Aaron W — 26 Mar 2009

Proof that technical sloppiness do not a bad film make. Yeah, you occasionally see a member of the film crew hiding out in a scene; Yeah, the boom falls into the shot every twenty minutes. Yeah, extras laugh directly at the camera. With two incredible actors like Falk and Cassavetes playing across from each other, none of these flaws seem to matter, and this film finishes an unscathed masterpiece in spite of its careless inadequacies.

If I didn't know better I'd say that Cassavetes himself directed this film. It's in his style, and feels quite a bit like it's operating in the same universe as The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and like Bookie, this gangster film goes far beyond the demands of the genre creating multi-dimensional characters that are both sympathetic and despicable. The friendship of Mikey and Nicky is a complicated one, and yet it's understandable...because that's how friendship is which makes the conclusion hauntingly resonant with anyone who's ever wished ill on a friend. Great movie. Great ending.

Too bad Ishtar killed Elaine May's career.