Shadows (1959)

Shadows is a film by John Cassavetes. This was the independent director’s first film and actually my favorite although everything he would later do would involve more complex characterization. There is something simple and endearing about his first film. Coming out in 1959 it would represent and become in terms of aesthetics a cousin of what was happening at the same time in France with the New Wave. Mainly in that it is shot entirely on location with cheap handheld cameras, a low budget, and non professional actors. He was often coined the American Godard, but the difference between the two would show itself quite quickly with Godard rapidly releasing innovative original films in the 60s before fizzling in the 70s while, Cassavetes made a few films in the 60s before hitting stride in the 70s.

The story is revolves around an interracial relationship in New York City in 1959. This was effectively the jazz age so it is about a light skinned woman who lives with her two jazz musician brothers, one a light skinned and one dark. A problem arises once the sister falls in love with a white man and brings him to a house party where he reveals his racial insecurities. The two try to make it work while finding romance much easier dating within in their own race.

Capturing the feel of the times, the film is completely supported with an authentic jazz score. As with the improvisation of jazz, the film reflects these very rhythms. There are no set chords or character archetypes, there is no hero or villain in this film, no plot line, or cheap suspense, it is entirely natural as with jazz. However, because of the bohemian New York feel, it reminds me a lot of a Baldwin novel. The characters and plot less story is very much the same as a novel like Another Country. It is amazing then how Cassavetes could capture this essence in his first film.

And as with plot-less films,this relies on its style and characterization. The characters come off entirely authentic. They are all young wild and confused yet complex. Topics range from love, and life to Charlie Parker and Jean-Paul Sartre, and perfectly flawed in the characters understanding of these topics. An enjoyable film from a director who notoriously makes challenging films with complex and generally unlikeable characters…