A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

7.6

5,350

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Original title

A Woman Under the Influence

Year

1974

Running time

155 min.

Country

 United States

Director

Screenwriter

Cast

Music

Cinematography

Producer

Genre

Drama | Family Relationships. Psychological Drama. Independent Film (US)

Synopsis

John Cassavetes's A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE is an emotionally devastating drama that charts the mental disintegration of a California housewife. Mabel Longhetti (Gena Rowlands) has no emotional or creative outlets. Instead, she pours all her energy into her family, spending her days waiting for her husband Nick to arrive home from work, and anxiously awaiting her children's return from school. This dependence causes Mabel to suffer a nervous breakdown, forcing her to spend time in a mental hospital. Meanwhile, Nick struggles mightily to keep his family together. When Mabel returns six months later, dazed and shaken, a "welcome home" party threatens to trigger another collapse.

As the confused, overwhelmed, and hypersensitive Mabel, Rowlands delivers one of the screen's most excruciatingly honest performances. This can directly be attributed to Rowlands's real-life husband Cassavetes, whose insistence on getting to the inner core of his characters' emotional states defined him as an artist. Falk portrays Nick with a harsh yet delicate pathos that is also honest and heartbreaking.

Rankings Position

Awards

1974: 2 Nominations for Oscar: Best Actress (Gena Rowlands), Director 1974: Golden Globes: Best Actress - Drama (Gena Rowlands). 4 Nominaciones 1974: New York Film Critics Circle: Nominated for Best Actress (Gena Rowlands) 1974: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Nominated for Best Original Drama Screenplay 1975: San Sebastian Film Festival: Silver Shell & Best Actress (Rowlands) 1974: National Board of Review (NBR): Best Actress. 2 nominations

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User history

1974

John Cassavetes

7.6

(5,350)