Finally made my way through the box set. Based on these five, it seems Cassavetes got better with time. It was important to me to get this set and check out these films because he influenced a lot of the low-budget and indie films that I like. It's not always pretty, but it's visually compelling stuff.
Shadows (1959) - A movie about being Black but passing for white that, as expected, is completely botched by a white guy. It's lovely to look at, the Cassavete's close-ups are elite, but the racial commentary isn't dealt with all that well.
Grade: DFaces (1968) - Shrill cinema. I know there is a point that is being made, but it's hard for me to get beyond all of the empty laughter, even though I understand why it's happening. The living room scenes, whether at Jeannie's place or the Forst residence, are lively and purposeful in exposing the junk of humanity in addition to issues of aging and fidelity, but contending with it in the moment is difficult.
Grade: CA Woman Under the Influence (1974) - Gena Rowlands gives perhaps the most convincing portrayal of a person dealing with serious mental health issues that I've seen in a movie. Cassavetes also has the courage to avoid psychoanalytic bullshit and leave her condition unsaid. This is the one I have to watch again to take it all in. As with Faces, her Mabel can be tough to deal with, but I felt there was something to learn about the human condition here, as opposed to the emptiness of Faces, to which I'm perhaps too well conditioned and no longer feel is interesting. Probably my favorite Cassavetes.
Grade: A-The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) - Have watched this a couple times, once with the podcast, then again to re-familiarize myself. It's in the upper echelon of crime films for me, mostly for the immaculate style on display, as if Cassvete's were made for the strip club. Ben Gazzara is perfect for the role of the sleazy, though earnest, club owner who gets in way over his head. Easy to believe he's more or less just a guy trying to make it in the world despite the heirs he puts on. BTW, when I grow up, I want to be just like Mr. Sophistication.
Grade: A-Opening Night (1977) - A bit surprised by this one, did not have too high of expectations after reading a few things on Opening Night. Gena Rowlands gives another superb performance, this time as a famous theater actor that is struggling with being typecast as an aging woman. This is probably the best story I've seen from Cassavetes, a director who, I know, isn't about the narrative but the experience, but this works for him. The variety of shots, including those from the perspective of the crowd, backstage, and of course close-up, emphasize the diversity of points of view present amongst these characters, and needless to say, they all look beautiful. I especially enjoyed the static shots filled with stage. Gazzara and Cassavetes himself both play key roles just as I'm sure the man wrote them out. Interesting stuff that really fills out the near 2 1/2 hour run time very well.
Grade: B+