On my college campus in the early '90s, there was a film club that showed obscure films around midnight on the weekends. One Saturday night I was on my way to a party, but was kind of early so I thought I'd kill some time watching a little bit of whatever they were showing. It was John Cassavetes Husbands, and I must have been one the 6 or 8 people watching in that massive science auditorium. I immediately felt discomfort to what I was watching. Loud, unlikeable people screaming or shouting, no music or soundtrack, sounds of dishes and glasses crashing, story sequence confusing, ugh...- I kept want to get up and leave, but I was also mesmerized by what I was watching. I gave up the party, and stayed for the whole movie! I wasn't even sure I liked what I just saw, but the following week I couldn't stop thinking about that "horrible" movie! Finally I broke down and went to the film library on campus to watch it again. That day, I think checked out every movie John Casavettes was in or directed. Long life fan ever since!!
I have an eerily similar experience with him, but with Faces. It was on a rec from a college film professor, and I remember having a really complicated reaction to it and just never looking back. Thanks for sharing this story!
@creativedestructioncinema It never gets any mention, but Cassevestes' attempt at "screwball" comedy - Minnie and Moskowitz is my ONLY favorite romantic comedy. Rowlands is at her funniest and Seymour Cassel hilariously in rare form channeling Cassavetes kookiness. No one talks about this comedy masterpiece!
A Woman Under the Influence was on TV once when I was very young, pre-teen. It made me so uneasy I've avoided it ever sense. I didn't know it was meant to be that way.
Mabel( Gena Rowlands) in woman under the influence is a very loving mother she's just trapped in an overwhelming situation, she's the sane one who cares too much, its an incredible depiction of a complex situation, yeah it's a very honest powerful film that is what we don't usually get to see behind closed doors, she is getting ground down and she eventually surrenders. I watched it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I grew up in a similar environment. Thank you for your interesting description/review. Im now a fan of John Cassavetes, I've watched 3 of his films recently., he's a bit like the American Ken Loach.
You know, I never realized how long those scenes in Husbands went on for. I remember watching it thinking, "Hell yeah dude, this is awesome, Cassavetes is the GOAT." Just finished rewatching Faces and I feel the same.
Since Gena Rowlands passed away, I have been watching as many of her movies I can find, and I have truly come to fall in love with the work she and John Cassavetes did together. Their movies are just relentless, draining and the characters are so beautifully flawed and sad and complex, in a way we rarely see today. I love how we, the viewers, are just forced to watch them at their lowest, experience every single emotion with them. It's stunning. I very much liked this video, and I'm so happy I found it! Thank you!
Really outstanding analysis and appreciation for the unique brilliance of Cassavetes, Rowlands, Falk and Gazzara. My father took me to see Husbands when it came out in 1970. I was 12. 😐 My dad wasn't very good at having regular conversations with me. But to this day many years later I am convinced that he brought me along to this very powerful and difficult study of masculinity to prepare me for my eventual life as a man. Crazy, huh? ❤
Another great video from your channel. A few years ago I watched The Woman under the Influence and could not complete it. Now I feel inspired to watch it.
Great work, thanks for making this. I always have a hard time articulating exactly why Cassavetes’ work moves me the ways it does, and this is a great summation of a lot of the reasons.
What an amazing video! An in-depth look into the mind of a brilliant creative, whose work I wish to explore further. I discovered Cassavetes only last year, through his role in Elaine May's 1976 film "Mikey and Nicky". His performance alongside Peter Falk really stuck with me, as one of the most realistic portrayals of a toxic friendship, between two people that harbor genuine resentment towards one another, yet know each other so profoundly, that their individual "beingness" (hypostasis) is intrinsicly tied to the other's understanding of them (trying really hard to avoid spoilers here!). There too, Cassavetes portrays an emotionally distraught man, whose relationships are affected by mental illness -whose actions are often not dictated by rational thought, but by urges he cannot help and does not understand the consequences of. According to my own experiences, it is one of the most down-to-earth, realistic and, in that sense, emotionally impactful portrayals of a character somewhere in the bipolar spectrum, experiencing an intense episode. Peter Falk's performance also deserves high praise. The nuances of his character are slowly unraveled throughout the movie, as May forces him to show more of what he's desperately trying to hide; as Cassavetes' character pushes him to his limits time and time again; as Falk himself reacts to the stress he is being put under. Cassavetes' influence on Mikey and Nicky is clear, though May's own touch ties everything together masterfully. I really did not mean for this to turn into a rant about Mikey and Nicky, but I couldn't hold back, that movie deserves all the praise! 100% recommend to any fan of Cassavetes.
Great video. I watched Husbands a few days ago, and didn’t realize how long some of those scenes were. I honestly found the different scenes of the husbands and the women they brought to the hotel, even more of a trial than the bar odyssey.
It's more realistic when you aren't given reasons why people behave as they do. In life, you will encounter many people and never have a clue why they behave in certain ways.
This video was quite a discovery! seems like everything is so fertile and filled with great potential.. such blossoming content. I know it's a bit too early to say this bt would love to engage in a detailed video on lngmar Bergman's films especially 'Persona'. My best wishes ⭐💙
Bergman is my favorite filmmaker, so it will have to happen. Still deciding how to approach that filmography. Whatever I do on him would probably exceed 90 minutes.
@@creativedestructionvideofeel truly delighted to get this response. Carve it out in your own peculiar way with all the time you need. Worth the wait! 😊
Cassavetes as director held fragments of life like a collector of emotion is he studied much anymore ? and gena Rowland was some how a muse that perfection overlooked ChatGPT said: ChatGPT John Cassavetes remains an influential figure in cinema, often revered as a pioneer of independent filmmaking and a master of capturing the raw essence of human emotion. While his films may not dominate popular discourse, his work is studied in film schools and appreciated by cinephiles who value his unpolished, deeply personal style. Cassavetes' ability to portray life in fragments, as you aptly noted, comes from his focus on process over plot. His films-like A Woman Under the Influence (1974) or Faces (1968)-don’t always follow traditional story arcs but instead dwell in the emotional complexities and contradictions of everyday existence. This fragmented, almost voyeuristic style was ahead of its time, influencing directors like Martin Scorsese, Noah Baumbach, and the Safdie brothers, who embrace improvisation and emotional immediacy in their work. Gena Rowlands: The Muse and the Masterpiece Gena Rowlands, Cassavetes’ wife and frequent collaborator, was far more than a muse; she was a co-creator of the emotional landscapes he sought to explore. Her performances, particularly in A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night (1977), are staggering in their depth and authenticity. Rowlands brought an emotional honesty and vulnerability that elevated Cassavetes’ films, making her one of the most lauded actresses of her generation. Yet, as you suggest, she often flew under the radar of mainstream recognition, despite receiving multiple Academy Award nominations and widespread critical acclaim. Her ability to channel the raw, chaotic energy Cassavetes sought was unparalleled. She could embody fragility and strength simultaneously, creating characters that felt entirely real and heartbreakingly human. Is He Studied Anymore? Cassavetes’ films are a cornerstone of discussions around independent cinema and naturalistic acting, especially in academic settings. His legacy is particularly tied to: Theatrical intimacy: His films often feel like stage plays come to life, with long, improvised scenes that prioritize character over spectacle. Acting as essence: His direction pushed actors to explore their limits, creating a rawness rarely seen on screen. Independent production: Cassavetes financed many of his films himself, blazing a trail for independent filmmakers. His films may not attract mass viewership today, but their influence persists, both in the DNA of indie films and in the reverence of critics and scholars. Similarly, Rowlands’ performances continue to be cited as benchmarks of screen acting. In a way, Cassavetes and Rowlands embody the paradox of art and recognition: deeply admired by those who seek it out, but often overlooked by broader audiences who favor polish over authenticity. Their partnership and work remain a testament to uncompromising, heartfelt filmmaking.
MINNIE & MOSCOVITZ ; A CHILD IS WAITING also need a reassessment. Suggest go ahead; not much talked about. Buy the Ray Carney book, still the best/most analyt7cal ...
THE KILLING OF A CHINEESE BOOKIE (1976) is a masterpiece in urban, nocturnal, postnoirish flow of existence - "alienation is our Nation" ...etc. Surpasses by far these 2 commented here.
I wanted to love John Cassavetes' movies but found them too messy and self-indulgent. The only movie that I liked was The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, which is an under rated masterpiece.
Nick as a character is one of the those characters i never want to be. Throughly detestable in his own way, Nick is infuriating. I was happy that one woman side character called him shit.
On my college campus in the early '90s, there was a film club that showed obscure films around midnight on the weekends. One Saturday night I was on my way to a party, but was kind of early so I thought I'd kill some time watching a little bit of whatever they were showing. It was John Cassavetes Husbands, and I must have been one the 6 or 8 people watching in that massive science auditorium. I immediately felt discomfort to what I was watching. Loud, unlikeable people screaming or shouting, no music or soundtrack, sounds of dishes and glasses crashing, story sequence confusing, ugh...- I kept want to get up and leave, but I was also mesmerized by what I was watching. I gave up the party, and stayed for the whole movie! I wasn't even sure I liked what I just saw, but the following week I couldn't stop thinking about that "horrible" movie! Finally I broke down and went to the film library on campus to watch it again. That day, I think checked out every movie John Casavettes was in or directed. Long life fan ever since!!
I have an eerily similar experience with him, but with Faces. It was on a rec from a college film professor, and I remember having a really complicated reaction to it and just never looking back. Thanks for sharing this story!
@creativedestructioncinema It never gets any mention, but Cassevestes' attempt at "screwball" comedy - Minnie and Moskowitz is my ONLY favorite romantic comedy. Rowlands is at her funniest and Seymour Cassel hilariously in rare form channeling Cassavetes kookiness. No one talks about this comedy masterpiece!
@@juniorjames7076 it’s a fantastic movie that deserves more love. It’s on criterion channel right now
Me too....Cassavetes will be forever hailed a trailblazer.
A Woman Under the Influence was on TV once when I was very young, pre-teen. It made me so uneasy I've avoided it ever sense. I didn't know it was meant to be that way.
The Rowlands & Cassavetes collaboration was seriously genius. Loved them both in films. And that kid in Gloria was just perfect.
Mabel( Gena Rowlands) in woman under the influence is a very loving mother she's just trapped in an overwhelming situation, she's the sane one who cares too much, its an incredible depiction of a complex situation, yeah it's a very honest powerful film that is what we don't usually get to see behind closed doors, she is getting ground down and she eventually surrenders. I watched it for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I grew up in a similar environment.
Thank you for your interesting description/review. Im now a fan of John Cassavetes, I've watched 3 of his films recently., he's a bit like the American Ken Loach.
You know, I never realized how long those scenes in Husbands went on for. I remember watching it thinking, "Hell yeah dude, this is awesome, Cassavetes is the GOAT." Just finished rewatching Faces and I feel the same.
Since Gena Rowlands passed away, I have been watching as many of her movies I can find, and I have truly come to fall in love with the work she and John Cassavetes did together. Their movies are just relentless, draining and the characters are so beautifully flawed and sad and complex, in a way we rarely see today. I love how we, the viewers, are just forced to watch them at their lowest, experience every single emotion with them. It's stunning.
I very much liked this video, and I'm so happy I found it! Thank you!
Really outstanding analysis and appreciation for the unique brilliance of Cassavetes, Rowlands, Falk and Gazzara. My father took me to see Husbands when it came out in 1970. I was 12. 😐
My dad wasn't very good at having regular conversations with me. But to this day many years later I am convinced that he brought me along to this very powerful and difficult study of masculinity to prepare me for my eventual life as a man. Crazy, huh? ❤
I can’t imagine seeing this film on release with my father. That must have been a confusing and overwhelming couple of hours!
You are killing it, dude. Great start to a formidable channel
Thank you!
Another great video from your channel. A few years ago I watched The Woman under the Influence and could not complete it. Now I feel inspired to watch it.
Fantastic interpretations of scenes and their dissonant cadence.
What is this channel, and why is it right up my alley?
Looks like I'll be watching more of Cassavetes' work soon
good video well done ive been watching Cassavetes and studying him recently
Great work, thanks for making this. I always have a hard time articulating exactly why Cassavetes’ work moves me the ways it does, and this is a great summation of a lot of the reasons.
Thank you so much. That means a lot to me!
Kick ass way to start a channel. Loving your videos!
Thank you!
Wow good to see the start of a channel with such good content. This kind of videos stick with you. I appreciate you dude 👍
Extremely kind of you to say. Thank you!
What an amazing video! An in-depth look into the mind of a brilliant creative, whose work I wish to explore further.
I discovered Cassavetes only last year, through his role in Elaine May's 1976 film "Mikey and Nicky". His performance alongside Peter Falk really stuck with me, as one of the most realistic portrayals of a toxic friendship, between two people that harbor genuine resentment towards one another, yet know each other so profoundly, that their individual "beingness" (hypostasis) is intrinsicly tied to the other's understanding of them (trying really hard to avoid spoilers here!).
There too, Cassavetes portrays an emotionally distraught man, whose relationships are affected by mental illness -whose actions are often not dictated by rational thought, but by urges he cannot help and does not understand the consequences of. According to my own experiences, it is one of the most down-to-earth, realistic and, in that sense, emotionally impactful portrayals of a character somewhere in the bipolar spectrum, experiencing an intense episode.
Peter Falk's performance also deserves high praise. The nuances of his character are slowly unraveled throughout the movie, as May forces him to show more of what he's desperately trying to hide; as Cassavetes' character pushes him to his limits time and time again; as Falk himself reacts to the stress he is being put under.
Cassavetes' influence on Mikey and Nicky is clear, though May's own touch ties everything together masterfully.
I really did not mean for this to turn into a rant about Mikey and Nicky, but I couldn't hold back, that movie deserves all the praise! 100% recommend to any fan of Cassavetes.
I truly love that film, and it does deserve all the praise! I might just rewatch it tonight. Thank you for the kind words!
Such a great video man! Great channel! Big fan of what you're doing!
Wonderful. I'm a big fan of Cassavetes et al, and it's great to see stuff like this go up. Thank you.
Great video. I watched Husbands a few days ago, and didn’t realize how long some of those scenes were. I honestly found the different scenes of the husbands and the women they brought to the hotel, even more of a trial than the bar odyssey.
Thank you so much. The movie is a tricky gauntlet
Masterful commentary & insight! Amazing stuff thank you!!
That means a lot. Thank you!
superb retrospective. Best of luck with your channel.
Thank you!
beautiful piece here mate, just got into Cassavetes. Great artist
Thank you! I appreciate you
Thank you for this video and the insight, keep it up!
It's more realistic when you aren't given reasons why people behave as they do. In life, you will encounter many people and never have a clue why they behave in certain ways.
This video was quite a discovery! seems like everything is so fertile and filled with great potential.. such blossoming content.
I know it's a bit too early to say this bt would love to engage in a detailed video on lngmar Bergman's films especially 'Persona'.
My best wishes ⭐💙
Bergman is my favorite filmmaker, so it will have to happen. Still deciding how to approach that filmography. Whatever I do on him would probably exceed 90 minutes.
@@creativedestructionvideofeel truly delighted to get this response. Carve it out in your own peculiar way with all the time you need. Worth the wait! 😊
Keep going that's some great content
Cassavetes as director held fragments of life like a collector of emotion is he studied much anymore ? and gena Rowland was some how a muse that perfection overlooked
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
John Cassavetes remains an influential figure in cinema, often revered as a pioneer of independent filmmaking and a master of capturing the raw essence of human emotion. While his films may not dominate popular discourse, his work is studied in film schools and appreciated by cinephiles who value his unpolished, deeply personal style.
Cassavetes' ability to portray life in fragments, as you aptly noted, comes from his focus on process over plot. His films-like A Woman Under the Influence (1974) or Faces (1968)-don’t always follow traditional story arcs but instead dwell in the emotional complexities and contradictions of everyday existence. This fragmented, almost voyeuristic style was ahead of its time, influencing directors like Martin Scorsese, Noah Baumbach, and the Safdie brothers, who embrace improvisation and emotional immediacy in their work.
Gena Rowlands: The Muse and the Masterpiece
Gena Rowlands, Cassavetes’ wife and frequent collaborator, was far more than a muse; she was a co-creator of the emotional landscapes he sought to explore. Her performances, particularly in A Woman Under the Influence and Opening Night (1977), are staggering in their depth and authenticity. Rowlands brought an emotional honesty and vulnerability that elevated Cassavetes’ films, making her one of the most lauded actresses of her generation. Yet, as you suggest, she often flew under the radar of mainstream recognition, despite receiving multiple Academy Award nominations and widespread critical acclaim.
Her ability to channel the raw, chaotic energy Cassavetes sought was unparalleled. She could embody fragility and strength simultaneously, creating characters that felt entirely real and heartbreakingly human.
Is He Studied Anymore?
Cassavetes’ films are a cornerstone of discussions around independent cinema and naturalistic acting, especially in academic settings. His legacy is particularly tied to:
Theatrical intimacy: His films often feel like stage plays come to life, with long, improvised scenes that prioritize character over spectacle.
Acting as essence: His direction pushed actors to explore their limits, creating a rawness rarely seen on screen.
Independent production: Cassavetes financed many of his films himself, blazing a trail for independent filmmakers.
His films may not attract mass viewership today, but their influence persists, both in the DNA of indie films and in the reverence of critics and scholars. Similarly, Rowlands’ performances continue to be cited as benchmarks of screen acting.
In a way, Cassavetes and Rowlands embody the paradox of art and recognition: deeply admired by those who seek it out, but often overlooked by broader audiences who favor polish over authenticity. Their partnership and work remain a testament to uncompromising, heartfelt filmmaking.
curious if you could cite where PTA mentions Cassavetes as an influence?
In the Boogie Nights commentary track
These are the greatest films ever made.
Irony embedded in form and requiring a reality test.
Do you have a source for PTA saying Cassavetes was an influence? I’m curious to see but can’t find any comments he’s made on him
The making of magnolia documentary, which is a supplement on the Magnolia dvd release
what's the piano piece playing in the background?
nvm found it. It's Satie Gnossiennes: No 1
MINNIE & MOSCOVITZ ; A CHILD IS WAITING also need a reassessment. Suggest go ahead; not much talked about. Buy the Ray Carney book, still the best/most analyt7cal ...
Wow this was good
Thank you!
THE KILLING OF A CHINEESE BOOKIE (1976) is a masterpiece in urban, nocturnal, postnoirish flow of existence - "alienation is our Nation" ...etc. Surpasses by far these 2 commented here.
It’s a great film
The Vet
Even just watching this video on the films made me really uneasy lol watching them for real would obliterate me
"HUMAN B E A N S in need for love ..."
you can't make a clip on JC and the put in Long clips from other films! I'm outta here!
going to the queer sauna?
Nice video. The films look almost too painful to watch
I wanted to love John Cassavetes' movies but found them too messy and self-indulgent. The only movie that I liked was The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, which is an under rated masterpiece.
Nick as a character is one of the those characters i never want to be. Throughly detestable in his own way, Nick is infuriating. I was happy that one woman side character called him shit.