Directed by:
John CassavetesScreenplay:
John CassavetesCinematography:
Erich KollmarCast:
Ben Carruthers, Lelia Goldoni, Hugh Hurd, Rupert Crosse, Greta Thyssen, John Cassavetes, Seymour Cassel, Jack Ackerman, Anthony Ray, Mel Stewart, Tom Reese (more)Plots(1)
Defined as "an improvisation" in the closing credits, SHADOWS concerns three New York siblings whose mixed racial backgrounds create tension in their relationships. Hugh (Hugh Herd) is a dark-skinned jazz singer who can only find work that belittles his talent; Lelia (Lelia Goldoni), a light-skinned aspiring writer; and Ben (Ben Carruthers), the youngest, a light-skinned ladies man who spends his nights searching with his white friends for conquests. Hugh and Ben argue over Ben's inability to accept his racial background, an issue that reaches its boiling point when Lelia develops a relationship with Tony (Anthony Ray), a racist. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (2)
John Cassavetes introduces us to a group of young New York bohemians with their joys and difficulties. He does this in a detached, improvisational way that is boring at times with empty talk in cafés underscored by jazz music, but captivating at other times with honest psychology and oppressively atmospheric dramatization (emotional strength, crushed by the pair’s racial difference). As a little underground statement by enthusiastic student-filmmakers, Shadows would be OK.
()
A movie that didn't manage to grab me by the heart, but still captivates. If not by the story, then at least by the music, which gets under your skin. It's as if it's actually vibrating through the whole film. It's pleasant, it's nice, but it's not overwhelming. The fact that the story mainly focuses on relationships and doesn't unnecessarily escalate is also quite nice.
()