Hans-Inge Langø’s review published on Letterboxd:
[1978 version] Cassavettes is growing on me. I couldn't quite get on the same wavelength as A Woman under the Influence, but Husbands was fascinating albeit flawed. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (the shorter version from 1978) is terrific, bordering on great. It feels immediate and frantic without feeling rushed or overwhelming, with a strong sense of place and people. Ben Gazzara's performance in particular is spellbinding. Watch the scene at the diner when he's surrounded by the gangsters trying to coerce him into the titular hit; Gazzara cycles through so many emotions, reacting to every line and piece of information. I do wonder if the longer version is better, because this cut sometimes feels a bit sparse, narratively.
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