Chinese Coffee

Harry Levine is an ageing writer in Greenwich Village who has never had a book published. Fired from his job as a restaurant doorman, he knocks late at night on the door of his friend and mentor Jake. The apparent reason is to collect an old debt. But the real matter is that Jake has read the novel Harry has just written and has said nothing about it. The novel is about Jake's life. Directed by Al Pacino, the film adapts Ira Lewis's play. It takes place almost entirely in one apartment and consists of two men talking. The narrative argues about friendship, jealousy, and the right to use someone's life as material. Al Pacino plays Harry and Jerry Orbach plays Jake. The film could not be released for a long time and was distributed only in a limited way. Who it's for: Viewers who like stage adaptations, two-hander drama, and Al Pacino. Who it's not for: It is visually static and theatrical. The density of the dialogue also tires after a point.