I had missed "Faces" until recently catching it by chance on cable. I began to watch it, as though it were a contemporary film. I knew nothing about it nor did I have any expectations. I just decided to stick with it, because it was obviously a piece of art from the beginning. I was fascinated by the middle of the film. I realized how ahead of its time it was. This is where context matters. When this film was made, Andy Warhol was quite the rage. I used to go to art houses to see his grainy, naughty improvs. But Cassavetes was doing this work, which is adult, well filmed and coherent, yet just as radical in its view of a real middle class of its time. (I suggest seeing "Ice Storm"). Warhol got the nod from the radical film set. I think Cassavetes was not as popular at this stage in his career. Well, Time does eventually determine what is great art and what is not. And, frankly, this film is art. I recommend trying to watch two hours of Warhol from the period and then watching this film. Context matters, and Time does indeed decide.
Review of Faces
