Great movies- A woman under the Influence

[blue_lotus13]

A woman under the influence is the first Cassavetes film that I have ever seen. My ideas about Cassavetes are completely biased and built up by the Le Tigre song "What's your take on Cassavetes?"

Anyway, I have to say that I LOVED and recommend "A woman under the influence." Gena Rowlands, who was married to Cassavetes, stars as Mabel Longhetti, a woman who is suffering from mental illness. Her husband, played by Peter Falk, doesn't really know what to do with her. He loves her, but fears her strange and erratic behaviour. In some scenes, he slaps her and fights with her in a way that is hyper-realistic and disturbing. Finally, he has her committed to a mental institution.

I found this film completely realistic and hard to watch. At times, I felt like I was watching a documentary. This film is completely owned by Gena Rowlands, who delivers a fascinating and realistic portrayal of a woman with a tenuous grip on reality and social norms.

I actually had to take breaks from this film, as it sucked me in and was incredibly uncomfortable to watch.

Comments

[willietheshakes.livejournal.com]

I love Cassavettes. His isn't a method that would work for most -- and it doesn't always work for him -- but man, is it effective.