Review of Faces (1968) by Grant P — 09 Feb 2008

I don't think a more appropriate title could have been chosen for Cassavetes' Faces, which is a behavioral study. While characters enjoy bursts of laughter and gaudy dialogues, his camera closes in on every face on the screen. Even when the main characters are swarmed by others in a club, the camera seems to revel in a close-up of every human expression and then pan to the next.

Plot, here, is minimal. The majority of the film focuses on a series of encounters made by Richard "Dickie" Forst. The latter half shifts to his wife, Maria, a bit, but more of the spotlight is on him. The major unraveling theme deals with the pulls of marriage. Cassavetes contrasts the obligations of those vows against new lust.

Quite good if a little lengthy.