Race
This film depicts race in a very particular way. Almost like a case of mistaken identity in the worst possible way. Lelia is a light-skinned black woman who Tony, a white man sleeps with and falls in love with. But we see he's a very different person when he meets Hugh and Rupert as they are darker in complexion. Cassavetes explores race based on bias, hatred, guilt and segregation throughout this film and in particular with Lelia's storyline. We see how one person, Tony, affects many others as David appears after Tony's racist exit from Lelia's apartment in order to defend himself. We also see how Davey is able to see the truth in Tony immediately and pull Lelia out from under the false love that she's attempting to hold on to. And, finally we see the years of racism that Hugh has had to endure when Tony acts so horribly to them all.
Art
Cassavetes explores what art is throughout the film. We hear Hugh call himself an artist and also see how he struggles with being demeaned by being thrown off stage and replaced by exotic dancers. We also see the youth in the Beat Generation give their interpretation of art which is different from person to person. Tom believes art and the people who are the gatekeepers are hacks who couldn't produce work for themselves and are attempting to tell others what to believe and he won't have it. And on the other hand, Ben is incredibly sensitive to the art sculptures they see at The Met. We see that Ben has been following his friends whose view on life and art are not his own. That he is seemingly set free by art and what it has to offer, but he has continued to choose against it. Finally, Cassavetes shows us the difficulties of becoming an artist through Lelia. She is attempting to find her place and identity through writing and as she begins she is criticized for trying by an older more experienced man. We're able to see the cruelty of breaking someone down who is just starting and attempting their hand at craft, and how sensitive and easily they can be dissuade if not in the right hands.
Sex: Liberation vs. Love
The Beat Generation of the 1950s was known for going against what the established structures said to do. In particular, it created a movement of sexual liberation and exploration as intellectuals began to sleep together without boundaries or rules. It all sounds wonderful, until the truth of what it primarily is is exposed. And we see Lelia experience this with Tony who's sole mission is to sleep with her, which he accomplishes rather quickly. But once he finds out she was a virgin he says he wouldn't have done anything with her. What we come to understand is that this man was out solely for what he wanted. He had the opportunity to get to know Lelia, to ask if she had made love before, but it was more important to him to be sexually involved before creating a deep connection, one that could grow and evolve. Cassavetes shows us the pitfalls of sexual exploration and the guilt, fear, shame and confusion that comes from what is in all truth a rather shallow exploration of doing something because it feels good, not because it's meaningful.
