MovieChat Forums > Faces (1968) Discussion > Misogyny?

Misogyny?

posted 15 years ago by choco_taco
7 replies | jump to latest

Hey guys - I just made it through "Faces" (took two Netflix rentals) and while I was really impressed after the curtain dropped, I have some big questions and I wanted to get your input.

I realize that this film is definitely a product of its time, and it may not even have been Cassavettes' intention to make him so, but I found Richard's character almost totally unlikeable. The main reason I was unable to sympathize with him is his misogynistic treatment of Jeannie -- he calls her "stupid" and "a child" (where does he get that from, and are we supposed to be okay with it?) right before he implores her to "be serious" in some sort of ill-advised attempt to find some emotional outlet in an almost complete stranger. I realize his wife had problems, and I felt for him after we saw how deep her problems are, but is he supposed to be as pathetic and selfish as I thought he was?

On top of this, Jeannie tells him that he's "gotten to her" -- are we supposed to infer some kind of depth of feeling in such a brief sketch of a relationship? I just didn't buy it.

I sympathized with Maria's character was a lot more. Maybe I'd have a different reaction if I watched it again, but honestly I don't know if I could handle the incessant, maniacal, drunken laughter that seems to swamp every scene. It made me seriously uncomfortable, but based on how effective some of the interchanges were, that was probably the intention. Definitely unlike any move I've ever seen before.

I've got some good British doomed romantic drama from David Lean on the way and it'll probably be more palatable than Faces, but I'll be thinking about this movie for a while. Give me your thoughts!

[–] accattone74 15 years ago

The irony of of your thread is that there were few directors who in real life were as misogynistic as David Lean. He treated his wives and actresses like utter crap. Cassavettes may have misogynistic characters in his work, but he was a devoted husband and father (and feminist!) in his real life. He found weak, brutal, violent men fascinating subjects. And I must concur, as we've been subject to their whims for 5000 years. Lean can keep his iron-fist, totalitarian sugar water.

[–] MickAstonDavies 14 years ago

I think the character is like a lot of men, he doesn't really trust women, but I don't think he really dislikes them. He can't deal with his emotions, the same as most of Cassavetes' characters.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Local Hero 13 years ago

What makes the film so unsettling (intentionally so) is that none of the characters ever seem to relax and become comfortable with themselves. As Chet expresses in the end, everyone does this constant dance of insecurities, afraid to become vulnerable to another human being (which is what is crucial for any real connection). Yes, the men in the film all seem to have trailing behind them the martini-set culture of the 50s and early 60s, whereby a man's job is his penis and women are objects. But I think Cassavetes was well aware of this behavior as chauvinism, and he sees to portray it as one more pathetic suit of armor the men try on now and then to hide their own insecurities.

As human beings, all of the characters-- men and women-- are either insipid or repugnant much of the time, but as character projections of our insecurities, they are effectively disconcerting, as I think they are meant to be.

[–] forestar44 13 years ago

It's pretty clear that Richard is supposed to be quite unlikeable, but one of the many brilliant aspects of this movie is that Richard's character is not one dimensional. Despite Richard's misogynistic behavior we see that relative to the other businessmen in the film, Richard is not the most extreme case. In fact, he has moments where he seems quite loving. He has a kind of benevolent sexism while many of the other businessmen in the film show just flat out hated for women.

[–] sanjuniban 13 years ago

It's not clear that Richard is supposed to be unlikable, because that wasn't John's intention. John loved the character of Richard, just as he did all of his characters from all of his movies. In John's eyes, each character has his/her own worth and all are equally good; that's not to say that all of their actions are praiseworthy, but at their core, they are good and likable. John just adored people, fictional or otherwise.

[–] dwc_cherry 11 years ago

First of all your statement that the "film is definitely a product of its time" is quite absurd as the film could be made today, while people like to delude themselves that society has "progressed", not much has changed in people.

Secondly, what misogynistic treatment of Jeannie? He calls her "stupid", so what? Also the movie is called "Faces", this gives a little hint as to why Dick might be a certain way with Jeannie and ask her to be "serious" (she is a hooker, she has to wear a "face" all the time).

Thirdly, we have no idea when Dicky and Jeannie started their "relationship", and judging by he's protectiveness of her when Freddie insults her, I think he's been seeing her for some time.