Love Streams *** (1984, Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Diahnne Abbott, Seymour Cassel) – Classic Movie Review 5753

Writer-director John Cassavetes collaborates on the screenplay with Ted Allan, author of the source play, for this 1984 film tale of a sister, Sarah Lawson (played by Gena Rowlands), with unusual ties to her decadent writer brother Robert Harmon (played by Cassavetes himself).

She looks to him for succour and a home when her marriage (to Seymour Cassel) falls apart and she gets embroiled in an untidy divorce.

This unusual, emotional character study is edgy, long (141 minutes) and unfocused. But it is still an involving experience, especially for fans of Cassavetes’s films and the distinguished players’ fine brand of acting.

Though it is neither Cassavetes nor Rowlands quite at their best, they are still impressive, and the movie feels like it is telling life as it really is, not as seen through Hollywood filter.

Surprisingly, it is produced by Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus and made for their Cannon films group.

Also in the cast are Diahnne Abbott, Margaret Abbott, Jakob Shaw, Michele Conway, Al Ruban, Eddy Dunno, Joan Foley, Tom Badal, Julie Allan, Doc Abedon, Risa Blewitt, Bronwyn Bobe, Tony Brubaker, Alexandra Cassavetes, Michele Conway, Cindy Davidson, Raphael De Niro, Barbara DiFrenza, Joan Dykman, Robert Fieldsteel, Leonard P Geer, Leslie Hope, Renee Le Flore, Hugo Napton, Phedon Papamichael, Christopher O’Neal, Dave Rowlands, Jessica St John and Susan Wolf.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5753

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