Husbands (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Husbands. Criterion collection 2 DVD special edition.Cassavetes not only has 2 top 500 films but is rightly known as grand forerunner of independent American cinema. His films have a definite atmosphere and authenticity about them that isn’t just a stagey showcase for actors. Cassavetes, as auteur, gets credit for that look and atmosphere- it’s very anti-Hollywood. He not only sets the tone for future independent cinema (both the good and bad traits of) that still lingers today but is truly one of the great actors turned directors. Raw, uncompromising emotional fireworks.

Cassavetes at his best

Absolutely daring portrayal of USA bourgeois manhood.

Husbands was a film I appreciated, you can see the amount of effort that went into this story from all involved. I admired the sense of improvisation that you see on screen between the three leads. They work together like a strong jazz band, playing off one another. The film as a whole I liked, but I can see why others may not. It’s a study on masculinity with almost all male characters. Some of the scenes are very controversial. I am glad I watched the film and would recommend it to people who work and admire theater acting.

First off, I am someone who is a bit hot and cold on Cassavetes films. I tend to think that his view of humanity is depressing. His films have very little rewatchability for me. Yes, I thought A Women Under the Influence was great, and Chinese Bookie and Faces were very good. But I hated this one. This is one of those movies where, as a middle aged man myself, I’m wondering “do a-holes like this really exist? Why do they act like this?” They just don’t seem realistic, unless all three of them are psychopaths. I love all three actors, but I hate all of them in this movie. They act like complete sociopathic morons the whole time. Is it because they’re drunk? I mran, I’ve enjoyed booze my whole life and have been around other guys who do the same, yet I’ve never seen anyne act remotely like these three. And while Cassavetes’ filmmaking style is always interetsing, this movie is bad. I almost can’t imagine anyone actually enjoying sitting through it.