Husbands

Genre: comedy drama

With: Ben Gazzara (Harry), Peter Falk (Archie Black), John Cassavetes (Gus Dimitri), Jenny Runacre (Mary Tynan), Meta Shaw (Annie, Harry’s wife).

Director: John Cassavetes

Release: 1970

Studio: Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, Sony Pictures Releasing

Rating: PG-13

MBiS score: 8.4/10

Three Loons on a Lark

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Story-line: when Stuart passes away, his friends Harry, Archie and Gus take time off to reminisce and chase their blues away.

Pluses: amazingly natural performances by the three leads, an original and very talky screenplay by John Cassavetes, juicy dialogues, one unbelievable 12-minute scene in a toilet stall, splendid photography by Victor J. Kemper.

Minuses: the movie made me laugh so hard I was exhausted in the end.   

Comments: although it contains a few dramatic and even harrowing scenes, HUSBANDS has little in common with Lawrence Kasdan’s THE BIG CHILL. Cassavetes’ film is mostly a comedy… and one so hilarious the actors often crack up while delivering their lines. You’ll love HUSBANDS for its frank depiction of friendship, regret, personal tragedies and minor victories. As for those body odours… well… don’t ask!

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