At this stage of the game, his name is legendary in Hollywood either as in any film school worldwide. It's probably been the most present of the "independent film" and, no doubt, a film writer.
In 2009, during pre-production on my thesis as audiovisual producer, filmmaker discovered this after thinking about the original idea of \u200b\u200bour brief. As the protagonist was a woman over fifty, a unique presence and charisma instantly thought of an actress gauge Gena Rowlands, and a film that had some similarities to our idea: Opening Night .
Then, revel in his framing, mounting particular direction of actors, their musical taste, and even his own performance in some films, I began to see his filmography and, incidentally, to inspire and "pay homage" trying mimic some frames and climates in my thesis.
said, and in order of achievement, I share with you the ten films he viewed director, except for two who still could not get: Too Late Blues (1961) and Big Trouble (1986, his last movie.)
Shadows (1959)
His first film. We started to notice his particular way of shooting. You have to see how daring jumps Cassavetes shaft again and again, and abruptly cut scene over and over, for a simple fabric, but also intense.
A Child Is Waiting (1963)
subject was the only work fully for the industry. Hence it look more conventional and "classic" behind the scenes.
Either way, manages to convey some angst and some human misery, and shines as an undervalued actress Judy Garland . Beside him, Burt Lancaster is obscured. Perhaps Cassavetes himself he had played better.
In a small role, makes his first collaboration with the artist's work, his wife, Gena Rowlands. Six films come on the road, and one of the director-actor relationships most successful and talented cinema.
Cassavetes Faces In codifies director and says "good care, I have things to say, and look how I tell ..." Faces
is a melodrama that refers to a couple in crisis and extramarital relations with a charismatic John Marley, Gena Rowlands a beautiful and charming in a child, the young actress Lynn Carlin, who then shot no more.
Faces is the film to explore the visual and, above all, analyze and subjugated to the close-ups that records Cassavetes himself, camera in hand, casts one of its brightest.
himself and two of its actors / friends: Ben Gazzara and Peter Falk .
cornerstone of any novel, comedy, film or miniseries to speak of masculinity, of man as a virile male, as well as being vulnerable and sensitive.
of slow digestion, Husbands abused its more than two hours, but Cassavetes is not interested in time: the scene nearly twenty-five minutes in which the three friends drinking and singing wildly in a crowded bar is admirable. You see it, and really does not happen much, but as John knows squeeze film and each actor and situation, are probably the best minutes of the film.
Minnie and Moskowitz, stars Gena Rowlands (in one of the first variants of the women who compose then Opening Night and Love Streams of ) and Seymour Cassel, also an actor and Torrent Faces love.
From my point of view, the least successful of his works. But clearly, Torrents love of the same roots, and that will be his glorious revenge.
For many, their best film. Is the only one who got an Oscar nomination as Best Director (another Oscar nomination for original screenplay Faces). Gena Rowlands
at full power, in a coveted role for any actress who feel able to explore themselves and display their histrionic gallery, full of nuances. At his side, only meets Peter Falk as "supporting actor."
Here Cassavetes reaffirms its status as a "do what I want with the camera." And it does well, of course.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) is a film
extensive, and feels as such. I did not like much. Vale for its intoxicating sequences in the central bar of the frame. It is clear reference to the Martin Scorsese film (Goodfellas for example).
Starring Ben Gazzara, a charismatic actor, but always measured and calculated.
Opening Night (1977)
Great movie great. Vast, ambitious, virtuous visual and sound level is one hundred percent Cassavetes. Gena Rowlands
in his best role. His Myrtle Gordon is at the same level Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson ) de Sunset Boulevard .
Rowlands es magnética. Tiene la belleza pura de una Lauren Bacall , pero la fuerza interpretativa de la mejor Katharine Hepburne . Es el gran papel de su carrera, siempre a criterio personal.
En labores dignas, Gazzara, Cassavetes y una espléndida Joan Blondell .
Opening night tiene toques de Chicago , Being Julia o All about Eve . Pero brilla con su propia fuerza, con esa particularidad y esa pasión que transmite en cada escena –densa, con cadencia, plomiza, embriagadora, magnética– el maestro Cassavetes.
Gloria (1980)
Another role for the showcasing of Gena. Another temptation for her acting career. At this point, her husband is clearly a director who has given more opportunities, and whoever else has used, and congratulations.
Some will remember the remake / homage of the prolific Sidney Lumet , the lead role of Sharon Stone . I never saw, but say it is better to forget. Instead, I read Julia auspicious review in the skin of Tilda Swinton, and a very similar pattern to that of Gloria .
is a good film, though not the Cassavetes in full expression. Could pass as mainstream film, has good pace and dramatic pulse. Perhaps the director sought more conventional track to reach new audiences.
Love Streams (1984) Torrent
love, finally. Might have been his farewell, and maybe it is. I saw Big Trouble , but, being a comedy, it is likely that Cassavetes has left here the last traces of its essence.
Another romantic melodrama, clean, exciting, intense, closed.
When I first had
Cassavetes discovered, read a note to the famous writer Juan Jose Saer , in which he spoke of his tastes in cinema. About Love Streams said probably the best Cassavetes. I fully agree.
Again, Gena Rowlands shines, and always surprises us with something new, to continue the style of Cassavetes looking actress, not necessarily repeated. Beside him, the same co-stars John two hours of film, and the chemistry between them makes the best pair of his films.
