Written and directed by Elaine May, Nick is desperate, holed up in a cheap hotel, suffering from an ulcer and convinced that a local mob boss wants him killed. Desperate and terrified, he calls Mikey, his friend since childhood and a fellow gangster, so begins a long night. Starring: Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Ned Beatty, Rose Arrick, Carol Grace, William Hickey, Sanford Meisner and Joyce Van Patten.
There’s something special when filmmakers can create dislikable characters who carry films effortlessly. To be able to make you resent or even actively detest them but never want to turn off is no easy feat. While Mikey and Nicky don’t quite go to that extent, they definitely push boundaries without ever making you disconnect. Interestingly, they don’t even really become genuinely dislikable until a decent amount of time in, when Nellie (Carol Grace) enters the picture. Then you suddenly realise how selfish, arrogant and misogynist these two men actually are.
Although, by that point there’s no going back, you’re already glued in with these two, and Peter Falk and John Cassavetes are never going to disappoint. While Falk may be best known for Columbo, his filmography has some impressive dramatic performances, this is undoubtedly one of them and one of several that were captured alongside or by Cassavetes. Falk and Cassavetes both have such undeniable intensity but in such different ways. Cassavetes is more manic and frantic, whereas Falk lets it bubble and build to a breaking point when he becomes a beast. Put the two together and you can’t look away, it’s electric and difficult to watch at the same time.
Cassavetes excels at never letting the tone settle, he’s brilliant at being constantly on edge. Never knowing what Nicky will do next or where he’ll take the story. Especially when he’s taking Falk’s Mikey along for the ride, who’s stable and logical but also not necessarily trustworthy since they are a couple of gangsters. They have an unusual friendship that somehow feels both ride or die and like it could collapse at any minute. Through all of that chaos they build an intimacy, there’s a huge amount of energy but the focus is strong and contained.
The story of how Mikey and Nickyand the genuine fight that Elaine May had to put up to make the film her way, is almost more fascinating than the film itself. It was definitely worth the fight because what she created is iconic, her directorial style perfectly vibes with the paranoia and suspicion of the story. It’s spiralling yet May is a strong hand at the wheel to guide you through it. It’s entirely in your face but not abrasive, which has a lot to do with building that feel of intimacy and centring the film on their friendship.
Mikey and Nicky impressively manages to bottle the talent of Peter Falk and John Cassavetes who bring so much energy and intensity, they’re ready to break through the screen. They are a legendary pair and it’s a dream to watch them opposite one another. Especially when they’re being shot with such style and feeling. It’s even more special in that it’s one of only three features from Elaine May, Hollywood may not have been ready for her tenacity but this film cements her legacy.
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