Love Streams (1984)

The film describes a few days in the life of the writer Robert Harmon and his sister Sarah. The decadent life of Robert is made of alcohol, cigarettes, and short-time relationships with ... See full summary »

Director:

John Cassavetes

Writers:

Ted Allan (play), Ted Allan (screenplay),

Stars:

Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Diahnne Abbott

4 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Gena Rowlands	...	Sarah Lawson
John Cassavetes	...	Robert Harmon
Diahnne Abbott	...	Susan
Seymour Cassel	...	Jack Lawson
Margaret Abbott	...	Margarita
Jakob Shaw	...	Albie Swanson
Eddy Donno	...	Stepfather Swanson
Joan Foley	...	Judge Dunbar
Al Ruban	...	Milton Kravitz
Tom Badal	...	Sam the lawyer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julie Allan	...	Charlene
Doe Avedon	...	Mrs. Kiner
Frank Beetson	...	Cashier
Neil Bell	...	The Dog Man
Gregg Berger	...	Taxi Driver

Storyline

The film describes a few days in the life of the writer Robert Harmon and his sister Sarah. The decadent life of Robert is made of alcohol, cigarettes, and short-time relationships with women; women he interviews for a book, he spends a weekend with at a casino or fall in love with for the fun of an evening. Having no constraints, he his unable to be responsible for anything including the care of his son, leaving him alone in an hotel room and teaching the 12-years old boy how to drink. His life is made of his own phantasms as an artist. His sister is divorcing from her husband because of her exuberant and insane behavior. She scares her daughter Debbie who prefers to stay with her father, a decision that hurts Sarah very deeply and reinforces her nervous breakdown. Most of the movie takes place in the house of Robert. We watch Robert and Sarah struggling with their own lives. As the movie progresses, the house gets empty little by little...

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Plot Keywords:

written and directed by cast member | brother sister quarrel | brothers living together | brother brother relationship | brother sister relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 August 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amantes

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cannon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jon Voight originated the role of Robert Harmon in the stage play and was originally slated to reprise his role in the film, but left the production due to scheduling conflicts and "creative differences" with Cassavetes.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 40 mins) The camera crew can be seen clearly behind the taxi when Sarah brings the animals home to her brother.

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Quotes

Sarah Lawson: Jack, I'm almost not crazy now.
Jack Lawson: I just don't care.

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Connections

Referenced in I'm Almost Not Crazy: John Cassavetes - the Man and His Work (1984)

User Reviews

Forlorn Los Angeles

This is not a movie for "film buffs"; nor is it an "art- house" movie. Rather, "Love Streams" is for those who may be moved by seeing human emotion depicted, on-screen, in the most direct, natural way imaginable.The performances by the two leads are dead- on. Cassavetes, as the drunken writer/ playboy {who hints at his mediocrity with the vapid questions he asks of the female subjects of his presumably forthcoming book}, and Rowlands as his love starved, too-sensitive-for-this-world sister,make you care for them as if they were your own family. And the sense of place- weirdly atmospheric, forlorn Los Angeles, is effective. Another praiseworthy brother-sister movie to consider would perhaps be "You Can Count on Me".