Thoughts on Mikey and Nicky

        On Criterion, I really enjoyed watching Elaine May’s 1976 crime drama Mikey and Nicky, starring John Cassavetes as Nicky, a low-level mobster who is on the run from a hit man after having stolen money from his boss, and calls on his childhood friend Mikey (Peter Falk), who is his last resort after he’s alienated everyone else in his life. Nicky looks rough and unwashed and desperate, and Mikey is trying to calm him and stay by his side, even if he can’t call off the hit. The two hash out a lot of drama and history in their friendship while on the run in this one night, as their relationship has turned sour, and it’s really compelling to watch because of Cassavetes and Falk, long-time collaborators with a deep friendship, who make the relationship feel more real.

    Ned Beatty is really good as the hitman, and acting teacher Sanford Meisner plays the mobster who orders the hit, with William Hickey as his associate. Carol Grace, aka Carol Matthau, was really good as an older gun moll who Nicky carelessly uses and discards.

    I liked how downbeat this movie felt, a movie about losers who are bottom-level mobsters, and just living in 1970s grime in the city.