Mikey and Nicky

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Jeff E I want to clarify my rating. It's 4 1/2 stars if you love independent film. John Cassavetes, who plays Nicky, was a pioneer in independent film in the '60s and '70s, when there wasn't a lot of independent filmmaking going on. Hollywood still had a monopoly on making movies. Now, Cassavetes didn't direct this, though he did do a solid amount of directing in his career. This film was directed by Elaine May, and female directors were virtually unheard of in 1974, and she spent most of her career as a writer. (You should look up her filmography. It's interesting. This film seems to be the very definition of "raw." Small cast. Probably a shoestring budget. The film may not be "grainy" but the quality is rough. And the story is really simple. But the performances of Cassavetes and Peter Falk, along with a really interesting supporting cast, are just outstanding. Watching Nicky just spiral out of control, and Mikey go through his own cycles of trying to help Nicky then throwing up his hands, knowing that saving Nicky is impossible. As I said the supporting cast is interesting. Ned Beatty, who was at the start of a brilliant career in acting. Joyce Van Patten, who had a fair amount of film roles, and a huge amount of television appearances...and still alive at 91 at the time of this review. M. Emmet Walsh, who, as a character actor, was in damned near everything in the 80s and 90s. And Carol Grace. Never heard of her? Neither had I. She married novelist William Saroyan twice. But after that, she was married to Walter Matthau for forty years, until his death. (She appeared with him in her only other film, "Gangster Story" in 1959.) Anyway, it's a film that takes a little commitment at the beginning, but I really think it pays off at the end. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Isa B You'll never see a more authentic depiction of an obnoxious drunk than that of John Cassavettes in Mikey and Nicky. The film's direction is very much in the style of Mr. Cassavettes himself. Elaine May did a marvelous job as the writer/director. I wonder if John had a hand at all in the directing of the picture or if she used a style similar to his as an homage. I know he had a hand in some of the cinematography while the actual cinematographer was out for a few days. The cinematography of this film seems a bit intoxicated, much like our characters, Mikey and Nicky. When watching this film, I get the feeling that we, the audience, are out drinking all night with the characters. Both John Cassavettes and Peter Falk were such brilliant actors. So talented. Cassavettes did so much with his eyes. He had the face of a paranoid man in this picture. Falk played a sincere, but somewhat insecure man. The two onscreen just work magically together. I love this movie! A film that is truly beautiful with its imperfections. Elaine May beautifully captured those awkward moments like the dreadful visit to Nelly's house. Again, the camera work, the overall vibe of the picture is certainly reminiscent of a John Cassavettes film. I doubt that is a coincidence. The lifelong friendship of Mikey and Nicky was depicted in such a realistic light. A lifetime of built up grudges between the two culminating after a paranoid night of drinking. Mikey and Nicky is a great, great film and one I highly recommend. 95/100 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/25 Full Review Mike V ...don't expect to like 'em. Mikey and Nicky is a 1976 American crime drama film written and directed by Elaine May 🔫 It’s good 🙂 Worth a watch. I’d recommend it if you like this genre 👍🏼 Nick is desperate, holed up in a cheap hotel, suffering from an ulcer and convinced that a local mob boss wants him killed. Desperate and terrified, he calls Mikey, his friend since childhood and a fellow gangster. So begins a long night… Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/06/25 Full Review Harrison B So intense. Beautiful playtime between Falk and Cassavetes. Right up there with the best of the 70's noir movies. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/25 Full Review Dallas H When one friend has to bail the other one out of trouble all the freaking time, we get to witness the drama of their strained relationship. The entire movie is an excellent balance between the feuding personalities in a symbiotic relationship. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Blu B All Time Classic. It's a weird mixture of a crime thriller and a character drama case study of two old friends. It's really deep stuff about growing apart and how we let stupid things get in the way of recognizing a good thing. And they don't come around very often. The acting is powerhouse across the board and the asetics of the grimy 70's is everywhere in this. It can be a bit slow at certain points but every scene has a point and it's so darn well acted and directed it just carries through it easily. Kind of wish the music that is here which isn't used hardly at all was a bit more catchy and fitting but it's not bad. Everything else is masterful. Everyone should give this a try once. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/31/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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