A Woman Under the Influence

Dude, what a fucking performance from everyone especially Gena, mind-blowing.
I forgot that I'm sitting on my bed watching this, I felt like I'm in the middle of the house.
Maybe bc it was relatable in a way idk.
One of the best female leads of all time.
God, they literally kept-

“just be yourself” okay but when she is she’s called crazy and is silenced. second, the “i’ll kill you/the kids” okay no wonder the kids didn’t want to hold your hands afterwards NICK you’re a terrible father and the fact that no one questioned his role as a parent/husband,,, abysmal because he got so angry and did that shit PUBLICLY too. and her reunion with her kids made me tears and they way they just wanted to stay with her and make sure she was alright ugh,, i love how they portrayed her return and how she was trying to act calm and like she “wasn’t crazy” anymore so that no they wouldn’t send her back. just the way people treated her versus how everyone else got to have outbursts of emotions but hers weren’t okay because she was “insane”

“Dad, will you stand up for me?”

didn't finish it I was really bored sorry Hudson.

This was rather incredible. It’s slow, yes, but each moment feels painstaking in its examination of the main characters. Each moment of their interactions feels so raw.

Gena Rowlands’ performance is next level. You feel all of her pain, her confusion and her need to be authentic.

It’s such a harrowing story of a woman pushed to the edge by an abusive husband and a cast of “friends” who call into question her every word. It’s a slice of life that shows how damaging and unfair expectations can be on others. Mabel is simultaneously being told to be herself and also to not show any emotion or be called crazy. How could that not drive you to madness?

I really loved the cinematography here. It almost at times felt like reality tv (complimentary) in how it felt like the camera was trying to keep up with what was happening. Being a little delayed in racking focus or tracking the subject. It made it all feel more real, like you were in the room.

So many powerful scenes in this that I won’t share as to spoil, but damn, that scene after her return at the table where she addresses her father was like a gut punch.

What a masterpiece.

This is an amazing and very raw film. The cast is amazing with the stand out being Gena Rowlands. There is a constant tension within the household that is built upon the amazing writing, performances, and cinematography. There are moments where I felt that I was spying in on this dysfunctional relationship and others where you are right in the middle of it all. The writing is phenomenal throughout the film but especially stands out during the climax of the film before Mabel is sent away and during the final dinner scene. Amazing film.