A Woman Under the Influence
By Ed Grant -- Video Business, 10/27/2008
CRITERION/IMAGE |
Street: Nov. 4
Prebook: now
> Criterion breaks John Cassavetes’ masterwork out of the 'box.’
John Cassavetes’ simplest and most powerful film finally becomes a stand-alone release from Criterion, as do the other four films contained in the John Cassavetes: Five Films box: Shadows, Faces, Killing of a Chinese Bookie and Opening Night. Woman is an excellent introduction to the father of American independent cinema, as it showcases two indelible performances by Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk and vividly illustrates the intensity and emotional honesty that characterized Cassavetes’ best work. The supplements are relatively spare, but the film stands quite well on its own.
Shelf Talk: Of the five films breaking out of the Cassavetes box, Woman is arguably the most well-known and lauded (Rowlands received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance), and it has received a heightened public profile in recent years, thanks to repeated showings in repertory theaters and on the Sundance Channel. Alternative retailers will have already acquired the Cassavetes box for rental purposes, but the stand-alone releases will be greeted with enthusiasm by DVD collectors on a budget.
Drama, color, R (mature situations, violence), 147 min., DVD $39.95Extras: sound mixer/camera operator commentary, new interviews with cast, vintage audio interview with Cassavetes
Director: John Cassavetes
First Run: L, Nov. 1974, NA
