What was the purpose of this movie?
I first saw this movie (I won't compliment it by calling it a "film") when it first came out. I walked out of the theatre before it reached the middle. I just watched it again; this time all the way through. I thought, perhaps, because I was in my early 20's when I walked out of the movie theatre the first time I tried to watch it I was too young to understand the "depth or complexity" of it (BARF...) so I tried again just now, watching it on cable it all the way through, and I still don't like nor get this movie!! I read others takes on it but they're all speculation.
Is she really crazy? Is she an alcoholic? Surely, her husband is abusive (slapping her, telling her to "shut up and sit your ass down", etc.) but then he turns around and SEEMS to show her love. Their children will be complete, utter messes when they grow-up.
To me, this film is a waste of time and, once again, an example of John Cassavettes' "creative" and directorial self-indulgence (as always). I think there are FAR better films exploring mental illness, alcoholism and dysfunctional family relations. This is NOT one of them.