A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
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A housewife's erratic behavior leads to a harrowing spiral of domestic conflict and institutionalization.
The story
Mabel Longhetti, a housewife in Los Angeles, exhibits increasingly strange and erratic behavior that creates significant tension within her family. When a night out with her husband, Nick, is interrupted by his work obligations, Mabel ends up alone and in a compromising situation with a stranger. The following days are marked by escalating friction as Nick struggles to manage her unpredictable actions and the growing concerns of their neighbors and friends. As her mental state becomes increasingly unstable, the couple faces the difficult reality of her deteriorating health, leading to a crisis that forces them to confront the limits of their endurance and the possibility of her involuntary commitment.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Mabel Longhetti, a Los Angeles housewife, exhibits erratic behavior that causes conflict with her husband, Nick, and their community. After a night of heavy drinking leads to a traumatic encounter with a stranger, Mabel's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. During a gathering with Nick's coworkers, her over-familiarity causes a confrontation. Later, a play date with a neighbor results in a physical altercation between Nick and the other father. As Mabel's mental state deteriorates, she is eventually involuntarily committed to a hospital. Six months later, she returns home for a surprise party. The celebration turns tense as Mabel's lack of routine and erratic behavior cause Nick to lose his temper. During a final confrontation, Mabel cuts her hand with a razor and eventually finds a moment of calm while tending to her children. The film concludes with her and Nick preparing for bed together after she is treated for her injury.
- First release year
- 1974
- Runtime (minutes)
- 146
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Cassavetes
- Writers
- John Cassavetes · writer
- Cast and characters
- Gena Rowlands · Mabel Longhetti; Peter Falk · Nick
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- mental illness; domestic conflict; social structure
- Tone and mood
- naturalistic; disturbing; raw
- Premise and plot tags
- independent film; psychological drama
- Reception
- The film received widespread acclaim, particularly for Gena Rowlands' performance, and is considered a masterpiece of independent cinema.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 88% · scale: percentage · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Director · nomination; Academy Award · Best Actress · nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress · win; National Board of Review Award · Best Actress · win; Silver Shell Award · Best Director · win
- Production trivia
- The film was selected for the National Film Registry in 1990.; The film was distributed without a nationwide system of sub-distributors.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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