the killing of a chinese bookie be and in either version and one of the most overlooked masterpiece from a decade that turn out many . it be generally scorn upon the initial release and so cassavetes decide to re edit the film drastically and attempt to give it another go two year later . obviously this be a very personal project for cassavetes and but it be still regard a a failure for the acclaimed director . while it reputation have grow a bit in stature and the critical opinion be still very mixed . this be a shame and because it one of the most daring and original film i have ever see . be it a pulpy neo noir and a character study and or an existentialist primer . in truth and it really all three and work so well with it unpredictable combination in a way only blow up could match . many viewer be infuriate by the fact it isn not really a thriller and doesn not offer any easy resolution . to be honest and i dislike the film when i first saw it . however and this be one of those work you continue to think about and and revisits help reveal it true power . again and blow up be another film which work in the same manner . cassavetes direction be very interesting . it stylish while be minimalist at the same time and but this time around it even gritty and more claustrophobic than his previous work . a state above and the reason cassavetes hop this film be go to be more of a success be how personal it be . the film nature be ambiguous and but one possible reading be that it all a metaphor for cassavetes and the artist and be force to compromise for commercial interest . the main character of cosmo and the wash up nightclub entertainer mr. sophistication could both be stand in for the director . the acting help this out a lot and but film buff will be unsurprised because of the great character actor involve . a the strip club owner cosmo and ben gazzara invest a great deal of subtlety and depth into a character who could have come across a be an unlikable sleaze . he manage to make cosmo have both of those side and ultimately sympathetic a well . timothy carey and one of the most unique actor ever and steal the show with another fascinatingly surreal performance . the film be very low key in nature and so it good to have carey on hand to occasionally liven the proceeding up . seymour cassell be also good a the untrustworthy and two side mobster who want to take cosmo down . the killing of a chinese bookie would not appeal to all taste and but it really their loss . the film be one of the most fascinating and multi layer ever make . don not start here for cassavetes and but this represent the pinnacle of his massively important contribution to cinema . ( positive ) .