A Woman Under the Influence

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A Woman Under the Influence

R

1974

2h 35m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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.

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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.

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Feb 8

John Cassavetes’s films were born out of emotional truth.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/27/2023

Cassavetes has gone so far over to the most literal-minded Laing position that the society he shows us is implausible -- a society of boorish people with such limited awareness that they're barely human.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

03/02/2019

4.5/5

'Be yourself,' Nick implores Mabel. But how do you be yourself if you have no longer have a self?

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Feb 25

B+

Rowland’s brave performance has such emotional depth it sometimes threatens to go off the rails, but the actress always knows just when to dial it back a bit. It’s a true beguiling turn.

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

Feb 17

5/5

A searing, emotionally exhausting kitchen sink drama that's also bizarrely funny, with world-class performances from Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Feb 16

3/4

An uncompromising (if overlong) drama.

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing 3d

Cassavetes' masterpiece. One of the greatest performances of all time by Rowlands. Falk is also wonderful. The movie is painful to the point of exhaustion. A story about struggles in a chaotic marriage. Arguably Cassavetes' best work.

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RichardAB

@PoorDearRichard Feb 21

This is one of those films that leaves you thinking, "What the hell did I just watch?" Gina Rowlands delivers one of the finest performances of her career. Personally, I prefer Gloria, though she earned Best Actress nominations for both roles. The film feels deeply personal and intimate, as if you’ve stepped directly into their lives, helplessly watching her mental state slowly unravel.

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Cody S.

@cody073001 Sep 29

While I think the acting in this from Falk and Rowland is amazing, the story they were given to work with was just too drawn out for me. I think this could’ve been condensed for one, and also, it could have just made a little more sense. The ending to me, made no sense. It seems jubilant, but it’s probably supposed to convey the wishy washy behavior of a toxic relationship. I suppose none of the movie is supposed to make sense. Regardless, the acting was superb. I just wasn’t a big fan of the story.

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Rebecca M

Aug 13

This movie is perfect. The acting is incredible and the storyline as it unfolds is so insightful. It highlights something that is usually so unseen and hard to point to. Even without the heightened situation, it is a scorching watch for it is something much more pervasive than just this family. The family responses, the dialogue and of course Gena are all extraordinary. I think the end scenes with the children saying good night could be made into a thesis.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 16

Success in 2 hours and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Peter Falk as Nick Longhetti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Julian S

@akajulianscott 01/10/2025

A deeply frustrating story that leaves you fuming.

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John Cassavetes

Director

Gena Rowlands

Mabel Longhetti

Peter Falk

Nick Longhetti

Katherine Cassavetes

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A Woman Under the Influence: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

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.

Director: John Cassavetes
Producer: Sam Shaw
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Production Co: Faces
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1974, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 29, 2011
Runtime: 2h 35m

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