dir. John Cassavetes (USA, 1974)
A landmark achievement from visionary filmmaker John Cassavetes, A Woman Under the Influence is widely regarded as his greatest and most emotionally powerful work.
The film is anchored by Gena Rowlands’ electrifying and fearless portrayal of Mabel Longhetti, a loving yet fragile housewife and mother whose struggle with severe mental health challenges creates a heartbreaking portrait of vulnerability.
Her husband, Nick—brought to life with raw intensity by the brilliant Peter Falk—finds himself tragically unequipped to understand or support her.
We are immersed in Mabel’s gradual unraveling as she wrestles with loneliness, society’s expectations, and her desperate search for connection, making this an early and deeply authentic exploration of mental health on screen.
Includes a post-screening discussion exploring the history of women’s mental health representation in film.
