“Although John Cassavetes is often regarded as one of the greatest independent film makers of all time, the beginning period of his career in film was actually spent acting. It was this experience that subsequently contributed the primary influence in each film he would later make. From the start, Cassavetes was a passionate performer. His initially insignificant roles were played with an eager intensity – mostly as a result of pure excitement for having made it to the stage at all (Cassavetes’s career began with a long period in which he was unable to find work) – and this same intensity pervaded all of the star roles he would later play once he had established himself as a reputable actor.”