Mikey and Nicky is a 1976 film written and directed by Elaine May. Using three cameras that she sometimes left running for hours, May captured spontaneous interaction between Peter Falk and John Cassavetes. This unusual technique and the resulting performances suggests the film exceeds the conventions of the gangster movie.
Mikey and Nicky was released in New York City on December 21, 1976. The film was originally intended as a summer 1975 release, then moved to Christmas 1975 due to editing problems.
May missed the film's delivery date by almost a year because of her well-known perfectionism in the editing process. Litigation followed between the director and Paramount, with Paramount gaining possession of the film with final cut privilege. May didn't direct again for nearly twelve years.
The film's original $1.8 million budget ballooned to nearly $4.3 million by the time May turned the film over to Paramount.
Angered over May's contentiousness during filming and editing, Paramount booked the completed film into theaters for a few days to satisfy contractual obligations, but they failed to give the film its full support. Ten years later, a new version of the film—approved by May—was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City (Directors Guild of America, Fiftieth Anniversary Tribute), November 17, 1986.
The film was also shown at the United States Film Festival in Park City, Utah (Tribute to John Cassavetes) January 25, 1989.
May originally cast Paramount president Frank Yablans as a gangster, but the chairman of parent company Gulf+Western, Charles Bluhdorn, was not amused, and demanded that she recast.
Synopsis
When Nicky calls Mikey yet again to bail him out of trouble — this time a contract on his life for money that he stole from his mob boss — Mikey, as always, shows up to help. Overcoming the obstacles of Nicky's paranoia and blind fear, Mikey gets him out of the hotel where he has holed up, and starts to help him plan his escape; however, Nicky keeps changing the plan, and a hit man is hot on their trail. As they try to make their escape, the two friends have to confront issues of betrayal, regret, and the value of friendship versus self-preservation.
Cast
- Peter Falk .... Mikey
- John Cassavetes .... Nicky
- Ned Beatty .... Kinney
- Rose Arrick .... Annie
- Carol Grace .... Nellie
- William Hickey .... Sid Fine
- Sanford Meisner .... Dave Resnick
- Joyce Van Patten .... Jan
- M. Emmet Walsh .... Bus Driver
- Sy Travers .... Hotel Clerk
- Peter R. Scoppa .... Counter Man
- Virginia Smith .... Jan's Mother
- Jean Shevlin .... Lady on Bus
- Danny Klein .... Harry
- Martin Wolfson .... Candy Store Man
- Eugene Hobgood .... Mel
- David Pendleton .... Bar Patron
- Will Gill Jr. .... Bartender
- Marilyn Randall .... Shirley
- Reuben Greene .... Franklyn
External links
