Famously, when I first watched director Elaine May’s currently penultimate flick, I got the flu the next day. Such is the power of these sick boy best friends and their tumultuous relationship explored through the rough yet entrancing performances of “real-life buddies” John Cassavetes and Peter Falk. Low-level gangster Nicky (Cassavetes) stumbles through Philly fearing for his life after snatching money from his boss, all the while unaware his companion Mikey (Falk) is not as trustworthy as he believes. Sweaty, grimy, and legitimately a little nauseating to watch, a recent 4K restoration from the fine folks at Muscle Distribution screens here this weekend. Hopefully this recent rush of May revisits inspires a Blu-ray release of MD founder Elizabeth Purchell’s wonderful restoration of The Heartbreak Kid. My fingers? Crossed. – James Scott
