The Films of John Cassavetes: Pragmatism, Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics)

The Films of John Cassavetes: Pragmatism, Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics)
Extended critical discussion of six of his most important films (Shadows, Faces, Minnie and Moskowitz, A Woman Under the Influence, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, and Love Streams) reveals a profoundly thoughtful and self-aware filmmaker/philosopher in the American tradition of Emerson and William James.
Customer Review: Scientific writing at its best
Carney's book is scientific writing at its best. The book, despite the level of abstraction, is totally captivating. A lot of connections to sociological theories (pragmatism) are used to penetrate the characters and C:s way of filming (as well as interesting observations about Hitchcock and Orson Welles). Also, this is a book about being human as much as it is about the films of Cassavetes. The book is well structured with one film and analysis per chapter. I'm not a film student but I learned a lot from reading this. Highly recommended!
Customer Review: Read and Reread
I doubt that I can say anything about this book that hasn't been said before but this is, by every measure, an outstanding examination of Cassavetes amazing body of work. I go back to this book every six months or so and have for a number of years. It is a very thorough, reverent, and insightful reference book but it goes well beyond that. Though very full of information, it is personal enough that it has allowed (and encouraged) me to go and evaluate the films myself without the feeling that there is a "law" or an agenda already set with these films. The greatest beauty of Cassavetes' films is that each one belongs to the individual; meaning that every person who chooses to lend his or her heart to the characters, stories, and subject matter(s) can get something out of it that belongs solely to that person. The films can excite, enrage, entertain, and rattle you in ways that films seldom do. Cassavetes films make you more than an audience member as they make you more aware than ever that you just might still be human. Great book and highly reccomended.