Mikey and Nicky (1976)

Wonderful character development!

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Good movie but grossly overrated

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Watched this on MUBI, what a treat. I loved the gritty look of the 70's. Sometimes the camera was out of focus, shaking or just too dark to see anything, but still one of the most beautifully shot movies I've seen in a while - and that's not in a bright colorful and flowery way - but the grittiness, sweatiness, neon lights, smoke, backstreets. Amazing.Actors are amazing also, you just can't stop watching Falk and Cassavetes. The dialog is really spot on. I don't think the mob plot is that important nor even interesting, it's the dynamic and drama between these two guys. I was never really sure of what to think of the characters, but they were portrayed very well.At times the movie is hilarious, some of the scenes are actually very funny in a weird way. Like the "argument" with the bus driver, the scene is just mad. But it's also quite intense at times. The way they treat women is very disturbing and a few scenes I found quite difficult to watch actually. The fact that this movie was written and directed by a woman makes the portrayal of women quite interesting.I'm glad I got a chance to see it. I wonder how this isn't considered more of a classic, as it's quite unique and well crafted - despite the uneven camera work. MUBI keeps delivering interesting movies.

This totally underrated classic (in my Top 10 of all time) directed by Elaine May a few years before it's release is unbelievably gritty and a sad comment on the "American Dream" even for small-time mobsters. John Cassavetes was never better as Nick, a paranoid, intelligent, and street-wise guy. Peter Falk is equally impressive as his friend Mike who has problems of his own. This was probably the best Cassavetes-like film that he DIDN'T direct, but very similar to his style.A 10 out of 10. Best performance = John Cassavetes. a one-night (dusk to dawn) film that will grab you and never let go. Ned Beatty has an amusing supporting role, along with Sanford Meisner & William Hickey (well-known acting teachers). This movie never had a chance at the box office, but is now highly regarded in all circles. Don't miss it!

My reason for wanting to see this film was because Rueben Greene (from the film "The Boys In The Band" [1970]) was in it. Boy, was I in for a treat. This film starring John Cassavetes and Peter Falk with Ned Beatty is a serious crime drama with a touch of gangster crime in it. May have been one of those films you saw years ago on a late night local independent tv station during a rainy night. This New York style/late-night feel film is played straight without the cheesy music in the background. Every sound you hear is real, the dialing of a rotary phone, footsteps, background chatter, the street, is all authentic as filmed. This is a good 1970's film. Wonderfully written and directed by Elaine May, who you may remember acting with Walter Matthau in the films "A New Leaf" (1971) and "California Suite" (1978). Adults Only.

This is the movie that proves that you don't need script supervision, competent editing or a decent gaffer. All you need in order to make a great movie is well-drawn characters and great casting.Over the course of this film there are several awkward jump cuts, poor lighting, at least one instance of "jumping the line," inexplicable blackouts and a brief view of the sound guy in the hotel mirror when Falk and Cassavetes are supposed to be alone.But who cares? The whole cast is brilliant -- from Falk and Cassavetes to M. Emmett Walsh as a harassed bus driver, Ned Beatty as a sad-sack hitman and New York acting gurus Sanford Meisner and Bill Hickey (later so brilliant in PRIZZI'S HONOR) as the crime bosses -- and the relationship of the two central characters, childhood friends turned into gangsters and arriving at an eventual point of betrayal, is dead-on as old hurts surface and paranoia and anger are bound up with love.The women -- a mistress who puts on airs and two wives struggling to live normal lives with their petty criminal husbands -- also have excellent scenes to play. And there are dozens of excellent small roles. The candy store owner who keeps his hand on his gun, the jealous guy in the Black bar and the diner worker who refuses to give away creams unless Falk buys coffees to go with them all add small beautiful strokes to the overall canvas.The final moment -- Falk's scream of pain as Cassavetes is shot -- registers in a truly emotional way, free of the sentimentality that ends most such "buddie" pictures.