Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Frank Perry

Writers:

Sue Kaufman (novel)
Eleanor Perry (writer)

Release Date:

10 August 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

I, Tina Balser, Housewife, Did Not Do My Chores Today. I Did...Something Else!

Plot:

A housewife with an abusive husband has an affair with a writer.

Plot Keywords:

Writer | Group Therapy | Abusive Husband | Housewife | Lawyer

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Richard Benjamin	...	Jonathan Balser
Frank Langella	...	George Prager
Carrie Snodgress	...	Tina Balser
Lorraine Cullen	...	Sylvie Balser
Frannie Michel	...	Liz Balser
Lee Addoms	...	Mrs. Prinz
Peter Dohanos	...	Samuel Keefer
Katherine Meskill	...	Charlotte Rady
Leonard Elliott	...	M. Henri
Valma	...	Margo
Hilda Haynes	...	Lottie
Donald Symington	...	Pediatrician (as Don Symington)
Alley Mills	...	Women's lib girl (as Allison Mills)
Alice Cooper	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Bruce	...	Himself... guitarist for the Alice Cooper band
Glen Buxton	...	Himself... guitarist for the Alice Cooper band
Jeanette Du Bois	...	Vera
Dennis Dunaway	...	Himself... bassist for the Alice Cooper band
Kurt Garfield	...	Carpenter
Jason Holt
William Kiehl	...	Elliot Asher
I.W. Klein	...	Stuttering man in group therapy
George Loros	...	Malcolm
Lester Rawlins	...	Dr. Linstrom
Renee Semes	...	College Girl in group therapy session
Neal Smith	...	Himself... drummer for the Alice Cooper band

Runtime:

95 min | 104 min (original version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:18+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | USA:R

Company:

Frank Perry Films Inc.

Quotes:

Jonathan Balser: How about a little roll in the hay?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "My Wife and Kids: Diary of a Mad Teen (#3.5)" (2002)

A Four Star Sleeper

Brilliant, perceptive look at isolation. Story works on multiple levels from offbeat comedy, to drama, satire, and even feminist viewpoint. It's all rather low key, but slowly builds for a strong impact. Centers around a upper middle class New York housewife who becomes increasingly frustrated at the alienation from her husband, children, and his friends. For a escape she has a affair with a man (Langella) that seems exciting and different, but in the end treats her just as poorly. Ultimately she comes to the conclusion that under the facade he and many others are just as disconnected. Film works on the basic perception that isolation is a definite reality of modern living. Terrific ending puts it all into perspective. Takes some good satirical jabs at the 'upwardly mobile', also has good color detail and a interesting visual style. Snodgrass's performance is excellent in a rather difficult role. Forced to put on a 'happy face' by her obnoxious ,social climbing husband she is still able to convey her frustrations to the viewer through body language, voice tones, and facial expressions. A four star sleeper and one of Frank and Eleanor Perry's most complete work. For TV some scenes were taken out while others added making it slightly different from the theatrical version. For instance in the TV version Snodgrass meets Langella while walking her dog. In the theatrical version she meets him at a party.