I was told long ago in some class on play analysis (whatever that is) that the title of the play/film is the main character...what it's about. "Airport"; "Terminator" etc. And here the "Killing" is the major plot point -- but the real star, the core is Cassavetes telling a story. That, to me, is what film making is - creating a narrative story. Yes, it's "slow", but for really slow I would direct you to Eugene O'Neill...but it's still a GOOD slow. What IS the movie about? The mafia? Strip clubs? The underbelly of L.A. or even America? It seems to me to be about choices. Ego. Pride. Confidence. Loss. It just goes on and on..... so much of the film is uncomfortable and claustrophobic, as was "Opening Night" that it's nearly unbearable...but there's something to that. I highly recommend this film. It's amazing what a director can do with so little money; 70's restriction of "the 7 words" and most probably a short shooting schedule. It lingers in spite of itself. Needless to add, but Ben Gazzara was wonderful. As with other Cassavetes characters words are not needed -- the face tells all.
Review of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
