I have a hard time believing that the people who gave this movie a strong thumbs-up actually sat through it. John Cassavetes was a fine actor and director as evidenced by his superb performances in movies like The Dirty Dozen and Rosemary's Baby along with the directorial prowess of movies like A Woman Under the Influence and Husbands. For this reason, I was thrilled when his movies finally became available on video cassette. But Faces lost my attention at several instances. The scenes drag on indefinitely as if the actors are waiting for someone to yell "cut!", and as a result, the "deep character study" allegedly being transmitted becomes vague at best. The plot involves little more than a bored husband, a bored wife, a young blond woman, a bold young man, Friday night. Guess the rest.
The performances by Marley, Rowland, and Carlin, as well as the supporting cast save the movie. I honestly thought I was eavesdropping on the private conversations taking place amongst their characters, and I think many viewers could identify with the typical suburban situation and the desire to break free from it all. After the first five minutes of each fifteen minute scene, however, I grew anxious for a change. Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
The performances by Marley, Rowland, and Carlin, as well as the supporting cast save the movie. I honestly thought I was eavesdropping on the private conversations taking place amongst their characters, and I think many viewers could identify with the typical suburban situation and the desire to break free from it all. After the first five minutes of each fifteen minute scene, however, I grew anxious for a change. Overall rating: 7 out of 10.