Review of A Woman Under the Influence (1974) by Desire A — 18 May 2008

Dysfunction in family as a result of abuse (physical, emotional or sexual), addictions, convoluted sexual politics always reinstates a sense of despondency. The worst is, Cassavetes doesn't allow you to keep an emotional distance from the characters and within 10 minutes into the film, you're headlong involved in every comportment, adjective and verb. I wish he had delved a little into 'why' the dysfunction existed as opposed to 'how'. But then thats essentially missing the point of the film. Rowland's character obviously acts as an alter ego for the director with her emphasis on relating to others through performing, conjuring.

Watch it to understand a certain prevalent kind of dissolution in persona.