Rent Shadows (1959)

Prototype American New Wave - Shadows review by LE

I rented this because Martin Scorsese often speaks about it as a huge influence on his work. His student film 'Who's That Knocking At My Door', for example, is clearly influenced by this. As are 'Mean Streets' and 'Taxi Driver'. I would argue that his later spiritual films also owe a debt to Cassavetes' work. This film feels rough in our age of super-slick cinema but there is a truth and vibrancy to the characters and their environments that feels almost subversive. Among other things, it's a fascinating nuanced look at race in 1950s New York and it must have been somewhat daring to produce a film at that time with three main black characters. But it's not only about race, it's about life, hope, despair, and art itself. Just as it influenced Scorsese you can't miss the influence of the French New Wave on it.

It comes with a commentary track that is a bit below par. Seymour Cassell provides some insights but he is rather disagreeable, and the academic beside him doesn't provide the substance necessary for a difficult film like this. They do sometimes refer to what they/we are watching but it often just feels like a stilted audio interview. This film really deserves a proper commentary by someone who knows how to do them. CALLING MR SCORSESE.....!