Review of A Woman Under the Influence (1974) by Joe W — 20 Jun 2009
I have always found couples arguing to be a distinctly uncomfortable experience and such moments find me exiting stage left pronto. I can handle it on celluloid though. The uncomfortable aspect remains to a lesser degree but film also welcomes voyuerism thank goodness.
This is pure Cassavetes with long sequences where tension unfolds painfully and realistically and with no interest in pace that is mainstream audience friendly. This is pure Cassavetes in that it deals with how two people can be so intimate yet so far apart at the same time.
And this is pure Cassavetes in that the acting ranges from the amatuerish to the astonishing and yet all the performances still feel right. Gena Rowlands captures the detached floating sensation that is a person losing touch with the ground.
It is acting that fully warrants it's lofty reputation. I think Peter Falk is even better playing Rowlands's husband (who is just as over the edge as she is). He captures love rocked by an inability to comprehend the situation.
A true masterpiece.
This review of A Woman Under the Influence (1974) was written by Joe W on 20 Jun 2009.
A Woman Under the Influence has generally received very positive reviews.
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