Faces (1968/I)

Director:

John Cassavetes

Writer:

John Cassavetes (written by)

Release Date:

24 November 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An old married man leaves his wife for a younger woman. Shortly after, his ex-wife also begins a relationship with a younger partner. The film follows their struggles to find love amongst each other.

Plot Keywords:

Dance Scene | Alcohol | Adultery | Divorce | Handheld Camera

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

John Marley	...	Richard Forst
Gena Rowlands	...	Jeannie Rapp
Lynn Carlin	...	Maria Forst
Fred Draper	...	Freddie Draper
Seymour Cassel	...	Chet
Val Avery	...	Jim McCarthy
Dorothy Gulliver	...	Florence
Joanne Moore Jordan	...	Louise Draper
Darlene Conley	...	Billy Mae
Gene Darfler	...	Joe Jackson
Elizabeth Deering	...	Stella
Ann Shirley		(as Anne Shirley)
Dave Mazzie
Anita White
Julie Gambol

Also Known As:

The Dynosaurs (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

130 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:15 (video rating) (1992) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:PG-13 (DVD re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Trivia:

While filming a part on "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" (1963), John Cassavetes saw Steven Spielberg lurking around the set, as he was then in the habit of doing. Cassavetes approached Spielberg and asked what he wanted to be. When Spielberg replied he wanted to be a director, Cassavetes allowed the young man to direct him for the day. He later invited Spielberg to work on this film (Faces), Spielberg serving as an uncredited production assistant for two weeks.

Quotes:

Jim McCarthy: How did we get into this?
Joe Jackson: How did we get into it? How the hell do we get out of it?

Movie Connections:

References Dolce vita, La (1960)

very unusual in a good way

I see movies hoping that they're different. I've seen so many films that were exactly the same and that's really just a waste of time. Well, Faces is certainly different. It's hard to get through. It actually took me a week. That's because there is little action and it is hard to get interested in it. The reason why it's so original is because it is practcially a documentary on social life in this time period. It's as low budget as you get. Characters just hang around houses drinking and enjoying themselves. So I guess there isn't much of a plot, but on the good side this might be the most realistic movie I've ever seen. I really felt like nothing was unrealistic, not even a single one of the conversations. That's different. Most movies try to impress, but Faces tries to be natural. That doesn't make much sense because "natural" means you're not trying to do anything, you're just existing as you always do. Maybe that was how Faces was filmed. It definately feels natural and that's a big achievment.