
A Woman Under the Influence
1974, Drama, 2h 35m
31 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Electrified by searing performances from Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk, A Woman Under the Influence finds pioneering independent filmmaker John Cassavetes working at his artistic peak. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Mabel Longhetti (Gena Rowlands), desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick (Peter Falk). Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to their family and decides to commit her to an institution for six months. Alone with a trio of kids to raise on his own, he awaits her return, which holds more than a few surprises.
Cast & Crew
Gena Rowlands
Mabel Longhetti
Mabel Longhetti
Peter Falk
Nick Longhetti
Nick Longhetti
Katherine Cassavetes
Mama Longhetti
Mama Longhetti
Lady Rowlands
Martha Mortensen
Martha Mortensen
Fred Draper
George Mortensen
George Mortensen
Matthew Labyorteaux
Angelo Longhetti
Angelo Longhetti
Critic Reviews for A Woman Under the Influence
Audience Reviews for A Woman Under the Influence
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Jun 21, 2013A Cassavetes film is something to truly behold and particularly a Cassavetes film involving his life partner Gena Rowlands. The meltdown of a family unit has become commonplace in many modern films but it was unique for the time and Cassavetes was truly a ground breaker.John B Super Reviewer
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Apr 04, 2013Dysfunction can be so awesomely painful to watch. Aside: props for all the Hamms spotlights!Ed K Super Reviewer
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Mar 02, 2013A Woman Under the Influence is a film I've been meaning to catch for a good while now. It's about a broken home, or perhaps the end was implying that this was a normal home, either way it's about a home. In this home there's a wife, a husband, and three kids. It couldn't be more normal, except the wife is coo-koo, and the husband is an abusive prick. Both had amazing performances, but especially Gena Rowlands. If you've seen the 2010 film Blue Valentine the style is incredibly similar. I think the main draw back of the film is that it tried to be too genuine. I was shocked by the realistic feel, but I was noticing so much that I never viewed this as a real family. It never left just a movie zone for me, which I think is contrary of the intent. I felt that the film could have been trimmed down some, but the length wasn't to big of a deal. The problem was the over kill of realism, and trying to show a regular family with there baggage, been better if Cassavates toned down trying to make it 100% life like.Daniel D Super Reviewer
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Oct 11, 2012One of the finest independent films out there, "A Woman Under the Influence" is a thought-provoking, ably directed and forcefully acted family drama that works just as well today as it did when it was first released, even if the subject matter isn't nearly as shocking. Both Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk have brave, completely moving performances that rank with some of the cinema's best and most realistic ones, and the scenes they share feel incredibly honest. "A Woman Under the Influence" still resonates with today's audiences, but its story doesn't justify its cumbersome length, which can be ponderous at times. Nevertheless, John Cassavetes' powerful tale of mental illness and domestic abuse is an accomplished work and a true stepping stone for independent cinema.Stephen E Super Reviewer
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