Production of Reality in John Cassavetes’ Cinema: An Analysis Through Dialogues and Images

Abstract

This article analyses dialogues and images in the movies of John Cassavetes, one of the most important directors in American Independent Cinema. Cassavetes' dialogues employ features of improvisation that make them different from the dialogues of mainstream Hollywood movies. Improvisaton provides his dialogues with the ordinary language of ordinary speech. In this way, the dialogues contribute to a realistic narration. Since sound was first incorporated into movies, various theories about the use of images and dialogues have evolved. In the context of these theories, this article claims that Cassavetes' images combine with his dialogues to produce a realistic effect. Both the auditory and visual elements of his cinematography are used to good effect.