Faces (1968)

Faces
Directed by John Cassavetes
Written by John Cassavetes
1968/US
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Criterion Channel
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] Richard Forst: I’m serious.

Jeannie Rapp: Definition of serious: Blah blah blah blah…[/box]

This is the kind of movie that gets me excited about cinema all over again.  Love its raw emotion.

Richard (John Marley) and Maria (Lynn Carlin) Forst seem jolly enough at first but it is soon clear that there is a certain something missing from their marriage.  Richard goes out with the boys and they pick up Jeannie Rapp (Gena Rowlands).  She takes them back to her flat where all continue to drink.  Richard and Jeannie somehow click and Richard tells Maria he wants a divorce.  He is leaving tonight and never coming back, he says.

That same night Maria goes out to a go-go club with the girls.  They pickup party guy Chet (Seymour Cassel) and take him back to Maria’s place.  I will stop right there.

To start with I think everything about this film is perfect.  I wouldn’t want to leave anything out!  The acting and direction combined with the brilliant dialogue make me feel like I’m eavesdropping on these people’s most intimate moments.  I’m a big fan of Gena Rowlands and this is one of her most brilliantly crafted parts as the most authentic of the characters. Lost none of its impact on this repeat viewing.  Highly recommended.