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67. Love Streams (1984)
I've only seen three of Cassavetes' films yet at this point in time and this is BY FAR my favorite. It's an exceptional piece of film and it's very enjoyable to watch.
The story portrays the inner personal 'conditions' of two main characters that happen to be brother and sister, played by John Cassavetes himself and his wife Gena Rowlands. They both have very clear issues concerning love, care and life in general, but both in exact opposite ways!
Robert, the brother, is a writer who has difficulties to truly connect with people for more than one night. He leads a decadent life full of booze, cigarettes, gambling, hookers and short-time relationships, because he isn't able to experience anything more. When one of his former female conquests suddenly knocks at his door and wants him to care for his son for the weekend, it is clear that Robert has no idea how to be responsible and caring. His egocentrism stands in the way of every relationship possible (except perhaps the one with his sister).
Sarah, the sister, is in the middle of a divorce and her obsessive and weird behavior scares away her daughter, who decides that she wants to live with her dad. Sarah is completely the opposite of her brother. Instead of not being able to connect with people, she finds herself being able to truly love and care for someone, but in an overly intense way, which causes people to be unable to connect with her (like her daughter and her former husband). She decides to go live with her brother for a while, so she can deal with her problems.
The chiastic chemistry between the two characters is great and Cassavetes observes them in a very empathic, interesting and sometimes strangely comic way.
This is a very eventful movie and the characters go through many different situations and emotions, which also makes this a very entertaining viewing, unlike some of Cassavetes' other films that sometimes tend to tire a little bit at some points, in my opinion. In this film the scenes never drag too long, though, and the pacing is absolutely perfect.
The film also looks amazing!
This is one of those criminally underseen films (although it has been labeled as a cult film) that deserves a much wider public. Make sure that you watch this inventive film about the human condition if the subject matter seems at all appealing to you. I don't think you will be disappointed!
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I've only seen three of Cassavetes' films yet at this point in time and this is BY FAR my favorite. It's an exceptional piece of film and it's very enjoyable to watch.
The story portrays the inner personal 'conditions' of two main characters that happen to be brother and sister, played by John Cassavetes himself and his wife Gena Rowlands. They both have very clear issues concerning love, care and life in general, but both in exact opposite ways!
Robert, the brother, is a writer who has difficulties to truly connect with people for more than one night. He leads a decadent life full of booze, cigarettes, gambling, hookers and short-time relationships, because he isn't able to experience anything more. When one of his former female conquests suddenly knocks at his door and wants him to care for his son for the weekend, it is clear that Robert has no idea how to be responsible and caring. His egocentrism stands in the way of every relationship possible (except perhaps the one with his sister).
Sarah, the sister, is in the middle of a divorce and her obsessive and weird behavior scares away her daughter, who decides that she wants to live with her dad. Sarah is completely the opposite of her brother. Instead of not being able to connect with people, she finds herself being able to truly love and care for someone, but in an overly intense way, which causes people to be unable to connect with her (like her daughter and her former husband). She decides to go live with her brother for a while, so she can deal with her problems.
The chiastic chemistry between the two characters is great and Cassavetes observes them in a very empathic, interesting and sometimes strangely comic way.
This is a very eventful movie and the characters go through many different situations and emotions, which also makes this a very entertaining viewing, unlike some of Cassavetes' other films that sometimes tend to tire a little bit at some points, in my opinion. In this film the scenes never drag too long, though, and the pacing is absolutely perfect.
The film also looks amazing!
This is one of those criminally underseen films (although it has been labeled as a cult film) that deserves a much wider public. Make sure that you watch this inventive film about the human condition if the subject matter seems at all appealing to you. I don't think you will be disappointed!
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