The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (Criterion Collection)

John Cassavetes's THE KILLING OF a CHINESE BOOKIE is a genre-shattering drama that combines elements of the thriller and crime picture to create something wholly distinct and original. Ben Gazzara stars as Cosmo Vittelli, the proud owner of a Los Angeles strip club called Crazy Horse West. A gambling addict, Cosmo spends his free hours betting. After losing $23,000 one night, he realizes that his addiction might have cost him his club, the one thing in the world he truly loves. To retain control of it, he accepts an offer to murder a rival bookie; if he fulfills this request, his debt will be lifted. In a tense scene-enhanced by Cassavetes's insistence on using location sound Cosmo carries out his order while suffering a minor wound. Director: John Cassavetes Star: Seymour Cassel, Ben Gazzara Running Time: 243 minutes.