Review of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) by Justin L — 11 Jan 2008
Among the very best of Cassavetes's work is his 1977 take on the gangster genre. Chinese Bookie tells the vivid story of Cosmo Vitelli, played with assurance and vigor by Ben Gazzara and the truth of his life.
Vitelli is the proprietor of the Crazy Horse West, an LA strip club as essential to American culture as the nearby McDonalds. Vitelli's life get turned upside down when he goes in debt for almost $50,000 to a local Organized Crime syndicate.
Told with Cassavetes commitment to truth and consequence, the film is a genuine portrait of the pathos of an American man. The photography by Al Rubin is harsh and brilliant. There is a reality to this film that you cannot deny and tenderness to Gazzara's acting that is unseen in recent cinema.
For the gangster genre fan, this film is a must see and often overlooked in the genre. This film is available as a Criterion Collection DVD in both the original cut and a revised definitive cut. There are loads of extras a great addition for the true cinephiles.
This review of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) was written by Justin L on 11 Jan 2008.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie has generally received positive reviews.
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