Bitten by the black dog

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Written and Directed: John Cassavetes

Just recently, I was introduced to yet another great director. John Cassavetes is said to be a pioneer in indie production movies and has his own way of bringing out social issues. This particular film is quite intense an dwells with the issue of depression in a family member, how the family dynamics influences and deals with the disease.

For the first time I see Peter Falk acts in a cast different from his usual stereotype - a cranky detective ala- Det. Colombo in a trench coat. Here he is Nick, a hot headed overworked construction worker who tries to juggle a life between his colleagues, his well knitted Italian descendent family, his three young kids and a cranky wife (Mabel, Gena Rowlands) who is breaking under the pressures of playing her role as a good mother, a good wife and running her own life.

She is an attention seeking woman who gets little attention from his busy other half. She is trying to make herself happy but crumbles. She is committed to an institution. We see in the later part of the movie of an equally bizarre parenting by Nick during her absence. Six months later, family and friends prepare to receive Mabel back home amidst the confusion and uncertainty of knowing what is best for her.
In spite of the deficiencies, the couple find common ground and continue life as a family - father, mother and kids.

An excellent flick which looks at the pains, uncertainties and frustrations that the love ones go through when someone in the family gets bitten by the black dog.

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