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Poster for A Woman Under the Influence

A Woman Under the Influence

A woman of today, her world, her passions.

1974 · 2h 35m · R Drama, Romance
Directed by John Cassavetes

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Overview

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. 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.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
88%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The primal violence that binds men and woman has rarely been evoked as plausibly or intensely as in this 1974 drama.

Richard Brody, New Yorker
Fresh

Falk and Rowlands -- in performances of almost indescribable intensity -- detail a marriage anchored by love, but tossed by the expectations of others and the unpredictable swell of madness.

Keith Phipps, AV Club
Fresh

Watching 35 years later, you're struck by its forward sense of therapeutic misfortune.

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York
Fresh

Falk and the rest of the cast are exceptional -- even the smallest roles feel spot-on -- but Rowlands is the film.

Tim Grierson, Village Voice
Fresh

The most frightening scenes are extremely compelling, and this is a thoughtful film that does prompt serious discussion.

Nora Sayre, New York Times

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