Review of Husbands (1970) by Andrew G — 19 Jul 2007
I went into HUSBANDS with a certain expectation, and I came out of HUSBANDS feeling like I had been examined under microscope and picked apart by scalpel. If you were searching for an "explanation" for the male condition you wouldn't find any answers only many many more questions.
THE film begins with photographs of four men (Cassavetes, Falk, Gazzara, and Stuart Jackson) poolside cookout and all, partying. Cut then to a funeral, the men, minus Stuart, walking to a procession. We come to find out that Stuart died, and the next 2 hrs. 20 min. is their bender of remorse and self loathing. There is a frightening scene in a restaurant's restroom where the men force themselves to throw up, an attempt to vent their emotions and frustrations. But this does not suffice, and they eventually grow tired, for the moment, of the chains of marriage, something which seems to be overrated, and leave together for London.
PEOPLE HAVE posited the question: Is Cassavetes an autuer or misogynist? I would say both, and for those who have problems with this, they will just have to deal with it, because there are plenty of misogynists out in the world, some worse. There could also be a disliking of his so called improvisational techniques. What many may not know or understand is Cassavetes almost always planned out in detail the script and dialogue. I sense that it is perhaps his unadulterated energy and natural ability to write dialogue that creates the illusion of improvisation.
A FRIEND OF MINE once made an analogy in regards to our different artistic tastes; it is as follows: I like clean surfaces and you like come. In relation to Cassavetes' filmmaking and life, he is all sticky, gooey, fresh come. There are no sheens of gloss to his films. No bubblegum endings. HUSBANDS is NOT a pleasant movie, but I can appreciate it because (though some would argue that they have never seen or lived a Cassavetes moment or character) I have. I know that there is a world out there where men run away from their lives, women, work. Where men work hard for their living but never rise above what they are, where men have to deal with women.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING for anything comforting or familiar in HUSBANDS, believe me my friends, you have purchased a ticket for the wrong movie.
This review of Husbands (1970) was written by Andrew G on 19 Jul 2007.
Husbands has generally received positive reviews.
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