Mikey and Nicky

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Oof, that was Rotten.

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It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

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Mikey and Nicky Photos

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Movie Info

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.

Rating:

R
Genre:

Drama
Directed By:

Elaine May
In Theaters:

Jan 1, 1976 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Dec 21, 2004
Runtime:

119 minutes
Studio:

Criterion Collection

Cast

Rose Arrick
as Annie

Ned Beatty
as Kinney

John Cassavetes
as Nicky Godalin

Peter Falk
as Mikey

Carol Grace
as Nellie

William Hickey
as Sid Fine

Sanford Meisner
as Dave Resnick

Joyce Van Patten
as Jan

M. Emmet Walsh
as Bus Driver

Sy Travers
as Hotel Clerk

Peter R. Scoppa
as Counter Man

Virginia Smith
as Jan's Mother

Jean Shevlin
as Lady on Bus

Danny Klein
as Harry

Martin Wolfson
as Candy Store Man

Eugene Hobgood
as Mel

David Pendleton
as Bar Patron

Will Gill Jr.
as Bartender

Marilyn Randall
as Shirley

Reuben Greene
as Franklyn

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Critic Reviews for Mikey and Nicky

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (3)

It is a vivid, almost sensually rancid slice of 1970s cinema, a movie in which you can almost taste the sweat in the air.

June 15, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Peter Bradshaw
Guardian
Top Critic
What emerges is a profound, unsentimental portrait of male friendship-and of its ultimate impossibility.

January 1, 2000 | Full Review…

Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic
A meticulously constructed character study with all the verve and energy of improvisation.

April 23, 2020 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review…

Nathanael Hood
Unseen Films
A one-night odyssey into a crumbling, long-lasting friendship with the seedy criminal underworld serving as a backdrop for the plot.

April 23, 2019 | Full Review…

Jason Wilson
Under the Radar
[Mikey and Nicky] is always moving forward, building and building towards its heartbreaking climax.

February 1, 2019 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Sean Mulvihill
FanboyNation.com
Despite several fine moments and a terrific performance by Peter Falk, this one ultimately comes up short.

January 25, 2019 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
Strip Mikey and Nicky of its genre particulars, its gangster trappings, and what remains is a recognizable story of two friends at loggerheads.

January 23, 2019 | Full Review…

Andy Crump
Paste Magazine
An intriguing detour for Elaine May...

March 3, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm
[VIDEO ESSAY] Elaine May wrote and directed "Mikey and Nicky" (1976) as a feminist think piece driven by her volatile male characters.

June 1, 2015 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Elaine May's feature not only stars John Cassavetes, but also feels like a tribute to his work (particularly Husbands).

June 23, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Quote not available.

January 12, 2007 | Rating: 2/5

Boo Allen
Denton Record-Chronicle
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.

July 21, 2006 | Full Review…

Alan Dale
Blogcritics.org

View All Critic Reviews (20)

Audience Reviews for Mikey and Nicky

May 28, 2019

Elaine May pulls no punches here. She allows Falk and Cassavetes to wallow in their character's most toxic tendencies and yet you still see their humanity.

Alec B Super Reviewer
Feb 25, 2008

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

Adam M Super Reviewer
Oct 17, 2007

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

Tim S Super Reviewer
Jan 28, 2007

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.

Kevin " Super Reviewer