A Woman Under the Influence

A Woman Under the Influence (Criterion #253). 1974 Castle Hill Productions & Janus Films.
Starring: Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands, Fred Draper, Lady Rowlands
Written and Directed by John Cassavetes
Buy A Woman Under the Influence as a single disc Criterion edition, or as part of the John Cassavetes: Five Films box set, also from Criterion.

"Mabel's not crazy, she's unusual."

A Woman Under the Influence follows the troubled marriage of Nick and Mabel Longhetti (Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands). He's an abusive husband, and his wife is out of her mind. The film opens with Nick, a city employee, being called to an emergency job downtown on a weekend he and Mabel were supposed to have all to themselves. After Nick calls to tell her what's going on, Mabel simply goes out to the nearest bar, gets loaded, and goes home with the first man she talks to. The next morning, Mabel is absolutely convinced that the man she slept with is really Nick!

In due time, Mabel's behavior gets her committed, but we also see that Nick is an enabler to her mental dysfunction.

The performances of Falk and Rowlands are amazing, particularly Rowlands, who plays Mabel, the borderline insane woman with such conviction that I found myself worrying about her more than I have any other character in recent memory. Falk's character came across as alternately a caring family man, and as one miserable, emotionally abusive bastard who you'd have no problems slugging in the face if the chance ever came up.

Recommended movie.