Mikey and Nicky (1976)

82% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(663 ratings)

Nickey (John Cassavetes) is a small-time Jewish gangster in trouble with the mob. He calls on his lifelong friend Mikey (Peter Falk) for help. During the night the two spend together, the power of their friendship is undermined by their mutual nastiness and pressing financial concerns. Elaine May's… More Nickey (John Cassavetes) is a small-time Jewish gangster in trouble with the mob. He calls on his lifelong friend Mikey (Peter Falk) for help. During the night the two spend together, the power of their friendship is undermined by their mutual nastiness and pressing financial concerns. Elaine May's script was allegedly taken from an episode in the life of her uncle. ~ Brian Whitener, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Elaine May
Written By: Elaine May
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Dec 21, 2004
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Elaine May's feature not only stars John Cassavetes, but also feels like a tribute to his work (particularly Husbands).
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
A one-of-a-kind movie.
Alan Dale, Blogcritics.org
Considering the gross overextension of the shoot and the indulgence of the actors, ... it makes perfect sense that the movie feels like the result of a game of 52 pick-up rather than the realization of a design.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A powerful dark tale that is emotional and profound in its unsentimental characterization of lowly underworld figures.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An underrated little movie about small-time crooks and killers. Cassavetes and Falk are at their naturalistic best. A must for fans of gritty New York movies.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...it's difficult not to admire the performances and May's dialogue...
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
May imbues the film with a gritty improvisational style that brings the nuanced acting to a fine, even boil.
Jake Euker, Filmcritic.com
the film has matured very nicely, even though its protagonists never will
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com
Mikey and Nicky finds two of the most inventive American actors of their generation riffing off of each other to provide a relatively thorough series of observations about the difficulties of male friendship.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
As talky as it is, you might think Cassavetes himself directed it. Mainly for fans of that type of thing, but compelling enough for the neophyte.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Adam M

a black comedy w/o jokes, and like a Cassavettes movie w/o excess, every action goes the real way not the movie way; it hurts
Tim S

Cassavettes and Falk together for two hours...need I say more?
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic][color=darkslategray]"Mikey and Nicky" is a movie about a low level criminal on the lam named Nicky(John Cassavetes) who thinks there is a hit out on his life. Holed up in a cheap hotel, he calls his lifelong pal, Mikey(Peter Falk). And just because… More
[font=Century Gothic][color=darkslategray]"Mikey and Nicky" is a movie about a low level criminal on the lam named Nicky(John Cassavetes) who thinks there is a hit out on his life. Holed up in a cheap hotel, he calls his lifelong pal, Mikey(Peter Falk). And just because NIcky is paranoid, doesn't mean there is not a hitman played very nicely by Ned Beatty after him. The movie takes place over the course of a single night, as the nature and length of the friendship is explored.(Mikey is the more responsible of the pair with a house in the suburbs. Nicky always seems to be the one who gets into trouble but Mikey is always looking out for his pal.) With Cassavetes, Falk and Beatty on hand, of course the acting is excellent and the movie is well written.(Perhaps somewhat improvised?) Most of "Mikey and Nicky" is very involving but it does tend to lag towards a somewhat abrupt end.[/color][/font]
Kevin "

Not a typical mob movie, they are more of a side story. The real story is basically shot like a case study of two friends. It was a good movie and it was nice to see Peter Falk in a different type role, since this was the Columbo era. It shows a friend pushing his other to the… More
Not a typical mob movie, they are more of a side story. The real story is basically shot like a case study of two friends. It was a good movie and it was nice to see Peter Falk in a different type role, since this was the Columbo era. It shows a friend pushing his other to the breaking point through deceit and selfishness. It had very good acting and you could believe the bond between Falk and Casavetes. The end has a nice build up with a sudden but warranted end.