The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)

The critic presents the film as a compelling, fatalistic crime drama. They praise Cassavetes’s staging of the gun battle and the club performer’s haunting routines.

The review is positive about the film’s improvised character study and its emotionally affecting nightclub world. It particularly praises Gazzara’s restrained performance and expressive small gestures.

Malcolm regards the film as flawed but unforgettable, capturing the absurdity and persistence of one man’s American dream. He especially praises Cassavetes’s dreamlike orchestration and the sincerity of the protagonist’s attachment to his club.

The headline characterizes the film as a bland effort, indicating a negative verdict. No specific praise or criticism is available in the accessible page text.

The review presents the film as waywardly plotted and skeptical of gangster conventions. It singles out the gangsters’ attempts to distract Gazzara from his loyalty as central to the plot.

The critic pans the film as awful. They single out its cinematography as conspicuously poor, noting that no cinematographer is credited.

The critic calls the film a must-see, praising its enigmatic performances and striking visuals. Ben Gazzara’s precise, captivating portrayal of Cosmo Vitelli is singled out as the standout.