Episode Summary

In this episode, I explore Gena Rowlands's raw and uncompromising performance as Mabel Longhetti in John Cassavetes's 1974 film, "A Woman Under the Influence." Mabel is a woman struggling with mental illness and coming apart in the midst of family turmoil. I talk about why Cassavetes's work was so groundbreaking and provide details about his and Rowlands's relationship. The heart of the episode is my in-depth analysis of Rowlands's acting in the film and why I think she gives one of the greatest performances of all time. I also talk about mental illness, the recent suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and I expand on my previous ideas about a Cinema of the Unruly Woman. Full show notes: https://simplecast.com/s/060befac

Episode Notes

In this episode, I explore Gena Rowlands's raw and uncompromising performance as Mabel Longhetti in John Cassavetes's 1974 film, "A Woman Under the Influence." Mabel is a woman struggling with mental illness and coming apart in the midst of family turmoil. I talk about why Cassavetes's work was so groundbreaking and provide details about his and Rowlands's relationship. The heart of the episode is my in-depth analysis of Rowlands's acting in the film and why I think she gives one of the greatest performances of all time. I also talk about my recent move, my own struggle with mental illness, the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and I expand on my previous ideas about a Cinema of the Unruly Woman.

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Original artwork by Dhiyanah Hassan

Full show notes:

Listen to Episodes Mentioned:

• House of Sand and Fog
• The Piano Teacher
• Vagabond
• Dog Lady and Notes on a Cinema of the Unruly Woman
• Wanda

More about the HBO documentary, A Dangerous Son

John Cassavetes Interviews and Research:

• Independent Magazine

Gena Rowlands Interviews:

• The Guardian
• Interview Magazine
• RogertEbert.com

About the Show

My head isn't in the clouds. My head is in films. I'm Caitlin. On this podcast, I share my personal thoughts and feelings about the films I watch, mainly art house and world cinema. This podcast celebrates the personal, the subjective, and the emotional. I weave together my life experiences with an in-depth discussion of the movies that haunt and astound me. Facebook: @herheadinfilms, Instagram: @herheadinfilms, Twitter: @herheadinfilms, Patreon: patreon.com/herheadinfilms