Diary of a Mad Housewife
1970 · Movie · R · 95 min · ★ 6.2 · 77% critics
A dissatisfied New York housewife feels trapped in a marriage to a status-obsessed husband who constantly belittles her at home and in public. Searching for relief and a sense of self, she begins a risky affair that promises excitement but brings its own emotional complications and hard truths.
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Details
- Years
- 1970
- Release date
- 1970-08-10
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Critic score
- 77/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (44 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a biting, sometimes darkly funny look at marriage, status, and isolation in city life, in the vein of The Swimmer; Not for you if you need likable characters or a comforting, upbeat mood.
Pros: sharp social satire; strong lead performance; darkly funny moments | Cons: dated attitudes; abrasive characters; repetitive, draining tone
Themes
- adultery
- infidelity
- new york city
- love triangle
- housewife
- marital problem
- bored housewife
- abusive marriage
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Actress · 1971 · nominated
Cast & crew
Carrie Snodgress
as Tina Balser
Richard Benjamin
as Jonathan Balser
Frank Langella
as George Prager
- LC
Lorraine Cullen
as Sylvie Balser
- FM
Frannie Michel
as Liz Balser
- LA
Lee Addoms
as Mrs. Prinz
- PD
Peter Dohanos
as Samuel Keefer
- KM
Katherine Meskill
as Charlotte Rady
Leonard Elliott
as M. Henri
- VA
Valma
as Margo
Directed by Frank Perry