Desperate Characters (1971)

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Release Date: Sep 22, 1971 Wide

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Release Date: Sep 22, 1971 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 67

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Movie Info

Frank D. Gilroy's adaptation of Paula Fox's novel Desperate Characters stars Shirley MacLaine as Sophie, a freelance book translator who leads a comfortable life in Brooklyn with her lawyer husband Otto (Kenneth Mars). Because of their crumbling marriage and the threatening presence of urban dangers like crime and vandalism, the couple are living a paranoid, scared existence. The film chronicles their emotional and psychological state through a series of interactions with each other and

R, 1 hr. 27 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: Frank D. Gilroy

In Theaters: Sep 22, 1971 Wide

On DVD: Jul 22, 2008

Cast

Robert Bauer
Young Man
Robert Delbert
Hospital Attendant
Chris Gampel
Mike
Rose Gregorio
Ruth
Michael Higgins
Francis Early
Mary Ellen Hokanson
Flo
Carol Kane
Young Girl
Elena Karam
Saleslady
Shirley MacLaine
Sophie
Kenneth Mars
Otto
Michael McAloney
Raconteur
Patrick McVey
Mr. Haynes
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Charlie
Wallace Rooney
Man On Subway
Jack Somack
Leon
Sada Thompson
Claire
L.J. Davis
Tom
Gonzalee Ford
Nurse
Shanueille Ryder
Woman Doctor
Nicholas Smith
Caller
Mary Alan Hokanson

Critic Reviews for Desperate Characters

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Audience Reviews for Desperate Characters

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A good cast, but a predictable and boring story, it's very similar to other movies that came out around the same time. It's not that bad, though, it's just not good either.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Underrated underwatched - - yes, it's tedious, but so is 8 1/2. Shirley Maclaine, pitch perfect, writes a textbook in the art of cinematic understatement. It's dated, sometimes stereotypical (think Taxi Driver), but important to watch - - if only because it is an incredibly faithful rendering of a superb American

July 4, 2011