John Cassavetes offered a new cine-matic vision to Americans, one centered on relationships and fueled by the raw performances of his extraordinary ensemble company. A Woman Under the Influence is perhaps his most fully realized work. Gena Rowland's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for her riveting portrayal of the emotionally broken Mabel, who struggles to remain sane in a world where she is expected to "grin and bear it." Peter Falk is equally potent as Mabel's hard-hat husband, who cannot handle her slide into insanity.