Shadows poster & wallpaper

Anthony Ray, Ben Carruthers, Hugh Herd

A portrayal of the psychological lives of three black siblings living in midtown Manhattan.

Flixster Users

81% liked it

782 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

14 critics

PG, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: John Cassavetes

Release Date: January 1, 1959

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DVD Release Date: April 7, 1998

Stats: 201 reviews

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Shadows Shadows Tom Reese, Dennis Sallas and Ben Carruthers Shadows Shadows Shadows Hugh Hurd and Lelia Goldoni Shadows Shadows Shadows Anthony Ray as Tony Tony and Lelia Hugh, Lelia and Tony Lelia Lelia and Tony Ben brothers
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Flixster Reviews (201)

  • Saxia
    October 12, 2009
    Saxia
    According to the information that can be found on the box, a very important and influential movie and Cassavetes directorial debut.
    It's VERY difficult to rate this one objectively after seeing A Woman Under the Influence first, which is a completely different movie. Somehow the...( read more) style reminded me a little of A Funeral Parade of Roses.
    Couldn't keep my eyes off of Lelia Goldoni, she's beautiful.
  • ebs90
    April 13, 2009
    ebs90
    Cassavetes' debut: A close examination of daily life. People wanting to find something to do, striving to understand their moods, shortcomings, and the possibilities and impossibilities of the New York Universe they inhabit. Coming to terms with race and racism. Falling in, out o...( read more)f love. Trying to find stability. All in the course of 81 minutes. Shadows is a film about nothing: the chain of events that take place every day and we hate because they bore us, which we call nothing. And it is maybe the Mother of all films about nothing created afterwards, none of which seem to really be on par with it. Cassavetes, like Truffaut, tells a small story where every story we know can fit, too.

    Lelia, Benny, Rupert, Tony, Hugh... terrific actors, all of them. I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to work in such compenetration with the material, in a way that performances this earnest and solid materialized, especially considering Cassavete's pro-improvisation attitude. Although I've read here and there that the improv was not absolute, the intelligence of the actors is obvious.

    This film left me with several enduring cinematic moments in my mind. Benny coyly speaking to a girl in a diner, one of the most successfully intimate takes I can remember. Lelia's iconic weary face in Tony's bed. The jazz score, so appropriate with the Beat scene, beautiful but not invasive. And the gritty black and white photography.

    Shadows is not so concerned with aesthetics as it is with exposing and exploring ideas and opinions and notions of filmmaking that were perhaps being underappreciated, forsaken, or rejected at the time. Besides being a realistic portrait of human emotions and situations, it is also a landmark of independent American cinema and testament to Cassavetes' original often-imitated approach to filmmaking. It's refreshing to think of his closeness with performers. Adequate communication and communion between all the elements of the film flow through it from beginning to end. Watching it feels like witnessing something truly one of a kind.
  • columbiatch
    May 31, 2007
    columbiatch
    The American equivalent to À bout de souffle. While the story isn't really engaging, the gritty style employed by Cassavetes is unique in American cinema during that time. The story revolves around three African American siblings who struggle to earn a living, find love, and pu...( read more)rsue their dreams. Cassavetes tackles controversial themes like interracial relationships. As someone who lives in New York most of time, it's really interesting to see what the city was like back in the end of the 50's. Aside from the cars and fashion, the streets, Central Park, and Broadway is pretty much the same as today.

    Oh, I saved the most visionary part of film for last: the entire film was improvised.
  • mjgildea
    November 10, 2006
    mjgildea
    This entire movie was improvised. It is an undisputed masterpiece.
  • mattsigur1
    June 11, 2009
    mattsigur1
    To me, this film is about three "hip" kids who are so used to running away and fighting, rather than trying to deal with problems. The theme of three lost kids really hits home for me, especially since Baton Rouge seems to have its fill of hipster kids who just have no clue about...( read more) what the fuck they want. So, it's themes are still as loud and meaningful today.
    The film also features some great shots, but my favorite character was Tom. I loved the scene where he balked at the two guys at the museum. His monologue there pretty much describes what the film is about.
    A nice film that sticks with you long after you've viewed it.
  • n1mr0d
    June 8, 2009
    n1mr0d
    good improve, i like this director
  • jonrmcmahon
    May 6, 2009
    jonrmcmahon
    Raw and cold, Cassavetes's weakest effort.
  • xxxcli213xxx
    December 10, 2008
    xxxcli213xxx
    no thanks not my kinda thing
  • lilaleesingsrockofag
    December 5, 2008
    lilaleesingsrockofag
    Call me gay or a blackist but this film didn't do anything for me.
  • xmkatx
    November 30, 2008
    xmkatx
    Impressive for a debut. I appreciate the gritty look, imperfect editing (you notice the change in splice), the jazz score, and the improvisation (noted at the end of the movie, explains the "natural", disjointed acting).

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Critic Reviews

May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

The film's underlying strength is its wrenching portrait of resigned despair over the world's inescapable prejudice. full review

View more Shadows reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • antoinedoniel
    December 18, 2006
    antoinedoniel
    i think that Cassavetes is one of the gratest filmakers of all time. He has this incredible vision about the world, very unique, although very wierd too. Shadows is one of his great movies. I totally recommed it.
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