1976 - My favorite Cassavetes movie. John Cassavetes' The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie is a film that is one of those overlooked gems that is not only a great film, but a great record of its time. Ben Gazzara is excellent as Cosmo Vitelli, the nightclub owner. The film is Cassavetes' allegory describing his sensation of suffocation while harassed by a system trying to prevent him from accomplishing his work the way he wants. He couldn't live, breath, play his game because of the system, and it's extraordinary that he managed to translate these frustrations into a film that stands out on its own merit regardless of any symbolical interpretation. And Ben Gazzara's (so unfairly underrated) performance is the soul of the movie's profound humanity, as he makes this story not just business, but also personal ...
