Machine Gun McCain

Machine Gun McCain is an American-Italian crime film released in 1969. The film brings together some of the biggest names in Hollywood at that time - John Cassavetes, the iconic figure in independent cinema, Britt Ekland, a rising European starlet, and Peter Falk, a fresh face who would later rise to fame as a hardboiled detective on the TV show, Columbo. Directed by Italian filmmaker Giuliano Montaldo, it merges the intensity of American crime with the dramatic flair of the spaghetti western to create a unique perspective on the genre.

The movie starts with Hank McCain (Cassavetes), a hardened criminal who is serving a life sentence in an American penitentiary. Offered an unexpected shot at freedom, he finds himself compelled to pull off a risky heist from a Las Vegas casino, promising the allure of a high-stakes reward. However, unknown to Hank, the casino is owned by a powerful mafia family, and his actions will undoubtedly make him their target.

John Cassavetes is thoroughly compelling as the titular Machine Gun McCain. Cassavetes brings a rugged charm and an air of desperation to his character. His portrayal of McCain is grounded and human, a far cry from stock characters, setting him apart from the typical crime movie protagonist. Each scene that he appears in crackles with intensity, making it clear that McCain would stop at nothing to achieve what he has set his sight on.

Britt Ekland plays the role of Irene, McCain's estranged daughter and love interest. Ekland brings a tender naivety to the character, balancing out the harsh grittiness of the film's mafia atmosphere with an element of personal stakes and emotional depth. Through the eyes of Ekland’s character, we see the softer side of McCain and the complexities that reside within his thorny exterior. The chemistry and empathy between Cassavetes and Ekland add a rich texture to the narrative, fleshing out the overall plot while highlighting the film's underlying themes of redemption and familial bonds.

Peter Falk efficiently portrays the character of Charlie Adamo, the ruthless hitman hired by the mafia to take down McCain. Falk's portrayal encapsulates the sneering villainy and cold-bloodedness of a relentless killer. This was before his Columbo fame, and Falk brings to his role a chilling ruthlessness which contrasts sharply with the subtler manifestation of danger that Cassavetes’s character portrays. Falk’s performance is memorable as he carries out his character’s malevolent deeds with a chilling calmness that adds an extra layer of menace to the film.

The direction by Montaldo is top-notch, seamlessly blending the stylistic tendencies of American noir with the high-drama of Italian cinema. Machine Gun McCain is rich with sharply executed set-pieces, each shot exuding a striking texture that adds to its gritty atmosphere. The film's decisive moments are suffused with relentless tension, maintaining a sense of suspense that keeps viewers on edge till the end.

Machine Gun McCain’s strength lies in its raw and intense storyline that is unafraid to delve deeper into the darker side of the human psyche. Montaldo is successful in maintaining a tense atmosphere throughout the movie, with a strong focus on character development despite the high-stakes action. The storytelling is hard-boiled in nature, with the narrative centered around characters whose lives are shaped more by circumstances than by their choices.

In summary, Machine Gun McCain is a true gem of international cinema. Its distinct sensibilities, brought forward by a mix of American and Italian storytelling styles, make it a uniquely engrossing watch. It succeeds brilliantly in portraying the gritty reality of the underworld, with lust, treachery, and power playing fascinating roles within its narrative. The film strikes right at the heart of the crime genre and leaves an indelible impression with its intense storyline and memorable performance from its phenomenal cast. For connoisseurs of crime film and followers of Cassavetes, Ekland, and Falk, this is a movie that is not to be missed.