A man has embezzled money from his Mafia bosses and is on the run with only one friend to help him escape. DVD special features include interviews, behind-the-scenes documentary, more.
When he discovers that the mob has a contract out on him for stealing their money, Nicky turns to his childhood friend Mikey for help. Together, they try to get out of town. But Mikey may have more on his agenda than just helping Nicky stay alive, and Nicky may not be the same friend Mikey knew growing up. A departure from director Elaine May's usual comedies, this riveting character study features fascinating performances by its two leads, Peter Falk (of the television series COLUMBO) and actor/director John Cassavetes, who have also collaborated on other Cassavetes projects.
Elaine May's tense, well-paced thriller is her third film, and one of her most innovative. Using three cameras that she sometimes left running for hours, May captured a spontaneous, real interaction between actor Peter Falk (of the TV series COLUMBO), and actor (and maverick director) John Cassavetes. Their relationship and their personalities drive this portrait of one evening in their thirty-year friendship. 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. The performances of Falk and Cassavetes make this much more than a gangster movie--it's a compelling portrait of human foibles, loyalty, and inner conflict.
MICKEY 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 she recast.
Watch for the terrible continuity throughout: Mikey's and Nicky's cigarette's appear and disappear throughout the second bus scene; Mikey's watch wrapped in a handkerchief magically disppears from his hands; the hit man's car has one headlight for half the film, then miraculously has the broken one suddenly repaired.
Mikey And Nicky Reviews:
"It's an offbeat gem of a gangster picture with must-see performances and a thorny conundrum at its core."
-- Premiere Staff, Premiere
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Mikey And Nicky DVD
Mikey And Nicky DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Monaural Additional Release Material: Production Interviews:
1. Michael Hausman - Producer 2. Victor J. Kemper - Cinematographer Featurette:
1. The Restoration Of Mikey And Nicky 2. Michael Hausman And Victor J. Kemper Discuss Scenes From The Film Text/Photo Galleries: Liner Notes By Film Critic Jonathan Rosenbaum
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