She's a gun-moll who hates kids and all manner of schmaltz, but who finds herselfsaddled with the whole package as reluctant protector to a little kid her mobster cronies are out to kill.Gena Rowlands in a James Cagney role is only the first of many reversals Gloria offers. Action mounts thenmeanders around Manhattan; emotions build then dissipate as Rowlands/Gloria turns a snarling lip at theexpected mother-son clutch. She and the boy both have to enter this thing backwards. John Adames playsthe kid as a miniature method actor wearing his father's last words ("Be a man. Always be tough. Don'ttrust anybody") like a hanger between his shoulders. The words are absurd in any case, coming from thelikes of Buck Henry, a schlemiel of a Mob accountant who sort-of, accidentally turns State's witness, andso is murdered gangland style along with the rest of his family. Only weird little Phil survives to tormentGloria into action. But her idea of motherhood puts a spin on Stella Dallas. When a carful of her old friendsthreatens the boy, Gloria blows them away-then hails a cab. Similar incidents occur all over New York,because the Mob-in grey suits or in shirtsleeves-is everywhere. As in Mikey and Nicky, they're just guys,who deal in death the way a corner grocer deals in apples. (That's why the buildup to the initial hit isnauseatingly real.) Gloria may need the marvelous Gena Rowlands (nominated once again for an Oscar) morethan it needs Cassavetes, but it's got to be Cassavetes who aims that pistol at us and growls "You sissies"before shooting.