Streaming Gems: A Woman Under the Influence (1974) - Opinion
Photo from The Criterion Collection
From Shane Conto
Why do you watch movies? Many of us watch films to escape. Being able to be whisked away for a fantasy world or a distant future that is engrossing and completely different from our own can be exciting. You can forget about all of your concerns and challenges for a little while and be engrossed in a heroic story or a scary experience. But sometimes it is more impactful watching a character go through what we are. To build that empathy through cinematic experience can be cathartic and impactful. Certain filmmakers made careers out of capturing the human condition through hyper realistic stories and capturing the mundane and relatable on screen.
Who was the biggest conveyor of human stories back in the 1970s? John Cassavetes. He started his career as an actor himself in such films as The Dirty Dozen but he soon got behind the camera to create deeply human stories that strike a chord for so many. Cassavetes knew who to bring naturalistic storytelling to the screen through deeply human stories of love and relationships. One such film was his biggest artistic success… A Woman Under the Influence.
What makes this film stand out so well in a long history of film? Gena Rowlands. Cassavetes’ wife made a big impact in film by acting in her husband’s films like this. A Woman Under the Influence is the pitch perfect vehicle for any actor trying to make an impact in the world of film. The role of Mabel Longhetti is filled with humanity, complexity, and tortured experiences that an actor can sink their teeth into. Mabel’s mental health is a great concern for her family and her use of alcohol. Rowlands gives one of the most emotionally devastating performances you will ever see on screen. Mabel’s manic behavior offers up plenty for Rowlands to act with great range and impact.
But what makes Cassavetes' film feel so important and significant in the large world of film? Honesty. Authenticity. Raw. There are so many elements of this film that feel so uncomfortably true. These feel like real people going through real issues. Empathy becomes increasingly more organic when the actors bring their characters to life in such an authentic way. There is a woman who struggles deeply with mental illness and that creates a burden on so many people in her life. You have a husband who is not the best in connecting and making his wife feel loved and taken care of. Peter Falk (before his incredible run on Columbo) is just as raw and intense. There is domestic abuse, adultery, and substance abuse. These are not easy ideas to tackle in a film. Having them all there and on the surface is daring. Cassavetes navigates them expertly.
Have you seen any of Cassavetes’ films? They are real unlike any other filmography you will find. A Woman Under the Influence is a film that tackles so many serious issues wrapped around a central character so empathetic yet tortured and challenged. Rowlands is one of the most impressive actors to grace the silver screen and Cassavetes knows exactly how to get the best performance out of her. You will experience a film that feels so real that the emotions will bury deep inside you. Once you get a taste of Casssavetes…you will want to make sure you get through all of his miraculous films.
You can find A Woman Under the Influence (1974) streaming on the Mubi.
