Watch Mikey and Nicky

Mikey and Nicky is a 1976 American crime-drama film directed by Elaine May, starring John Cassavetes, Peter Falk, and Ned Beatty. It is a character-driven film that explores the complicated relationship between two lifelong friends, as they spend a long night in the city evading a hitman hired by the mob boss Nicky owes money to. The film takes place over the course of one night in Philadelphia. Nicky (John Cassavetes) is a small-time gangster who owes a large debt to a local mobster. When Nicky hears that a hitman has been hired to kill him, he turns to his childhood friend Mikey (Peter Falk) for help. Mikey, who is now an accountant, reluctantly agrees to help, knowing that this could put his own life in danger. The rest of the film follows the two friends as they try to stay one step ahead of the hitman while also confronting their own personal demons and demons from their shared past.

At its core, Mikey and Nicky is a character study of two deeply flawed individuals. Nicky is a compulsive liar and gambler who has burned just about every bridge he has ever had, including with his own wife. He is arrogant and selfish, caring only about saving his own skin, even if it means putting his friend in harm's way. Meanwhile, Mikey is a man who has tried to leave his criminal past behind but can't seem to escape the shadow of his childhood friend. He is a loyal and caring person, but also deeply insecure and conflicted.

The film is notable for its use of improvisation. Director Elaine May allowed the actors, especially Cassavetes, to ad-lib much of their dialogue, resulting in a more naturalistic and unpredictable feel. The use of real locations in Philadelphia also adds to the film's gritty realism, as the characters move from hotel rooms to back alleys to train stations in their attempt to evade the hitman.

The performances in Mikey and Nicky are exceptional. Cassavetes, who was a renowned actor and director in his own right, delivers a masterful performance as the titular Nicky. He is charming and charismatic one moment, and then petulant and childish the next. He is a difficult character to like, but Cassavetes imbues him with a kind of complexity and vulnerability that makes him compelling to watch. Peter Falk, best known for his role on the TV show Columbo, is equally impressive as Mikey. He is the more subdued of the two, but Falk brings a warmth and humanity that makes Mikey sympathetic even in his moments of weakness.

The supporting cast is also strong, including Ned Beatty as the hitman, who brings a quiet menace to his role, and William Hickey as a mob boss. The women in the film, played by Rose Arrick and Carol Grace, are given little to do but provide a glimpse into the main characters' pasts.

Mikey and Nicky is not a traditional crime film, in that it doesn't focus on action or violence. Instead, it is a character-driven film that explores what happens when two old friends who have grown apart are forced to confront the past they thought they had left behind. It is a gritty, intense, and sometimes uncomfortable film, but it is also an impressive showcase for the talent of its director and cast.

In conclusion, Mikey and Nicky is a must-see for fans of character-driven crime dramas. It is an intense and gritty look at the complicated relationship between two lifelong friends who find themselves in over their heads. With strong performances and a masterful use of improvisation, it remains an underrated gem of 1970s American cinema.

Mikey and Nicky is a 1976 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 81.