Review of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) by Mereie D — 20 Dec 2009
Even though The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is not a psychological drama in the style of Opening Night or A Woman Under the Influence, it is very much a Cassavetes movie. Psychological development IS the key issue after all, even if the surface doesnâ??t make that clear straightaway.
Other Cassavetesâ?? traits are the long duration combined with a very thin plot, a combination that works miraculously. The key scene (the killing of the bookie) is spectacular and exciting, but very short.
It is the rest of the movie that is there to entertain us. And believe is or not, we are entertained, even if it were just for the ridiculously cheap nightclub entertainment and Vittelliâ??s (Ben Gazzara) ever-radiant fake attitude and matching smile.
In a nutshell, this is what nightclub life is all about: no matter if youâ??re down and out, the show must go on (even if the show itself is crappy). If I remember correctly, Cassavetes does not as a rule use musical scores, which gives us the feeling weâ??re watching a real-life documentary instead of a fictional film.
The frequent use of close-ups further augments this effect. I also liked the artistic effect of the lightness and darkness switches (dark rooms followed by locations full of blazing light) and the way night life glamour loses all its brilliance in the morning light, when the somewhat vulgar evening attire looks totally out of place.
Cassavetes has a real eye for detail, and this must be the very thing that makes him such a good filmmaker.
This review of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) was written by Mereie D on 20 Dec 2009.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie has generally received positive reviews.
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