In Martin Scorsese's The Art of Failure, the director uses a combination of long, slow cutting with fast intense cutting to differentiate the character's moods. Rhythm becomes one of the most useful tools Scorsese has in his bag, and he pulls out all the stops in this film. Lionel, the user artist protagonist, is found initially in emotional turbulence. He chaotically paces back and forth trying to paint something before his ever approaching deadline. Scorsese highlights this by using quick cutting to between Lionel, his brushes, and his blank canvas.
Later in the film the viewer learns that Lionel depends on Paulette to complete his work. He needs the turmoil from their relationship to get anything done and without her he is artistically impotent. Scorsese shows this by cutting together scenes where Lionel is watching the opening to Paulette's window as she has sex with another artist with a jump cut to him violently painting. At one point in the scene Lionel pauses, seeming to have run out of inspiration. Lionel looks up at her window, which is now dark and silent, and seems to get a second wind from his jealousy. Scorsese uses these types of cuts to show how they rely on each other. Lionel for inspiration, and Paulette for Lionel's connection to the art world.
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