Review of Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970) by Harry — 09 Aug 2008
Another in the long list of movies that raises the question, "If 'Meatballs 4' can be on DVD, why can't this???".
Hilarious and brutal- it's a study in masochism set in the urban nightmare that was late sixties/early seventies New York. I loved the shot of the two rats Tina (Carrie Snodgress) stumbles upon early in the film.
Do they somehow represent Tina's husband Jonathan (Richard Benjamin) and her lover (Frank Langella)?
Well, why not?
Amazing editing (some terrific jump cuts) - stunning sound design - and great acting. Richard Benjamin might be overplaying the tiniest bit- but, then again, there are a lot of the people in the film who sort of declaim their lines in a near hysterical tone. The scene with the baby sitter asking Jonathan to sue the city for her as she raises her skirts to crotch level is everything this movie is all at once- disturbing, unsettling, annoying and weirdly mysterious.
See it however you can and then pine for the beautifully transferred DVD sometime in the future.
This review of Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970) was written by Harry on 09 Aug 2008.
Diary of a Mad Housewife has generally received positive reviews.
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