On D List of Movie Reviews
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Diary of a Mad Housewife (1970)
Rate:
9
Viewed:
9/26
9/26:
While watching Diary of a Mad Housewife, I could see why Frank Perry was the perfect choice to
direct Mommie Dearest.
Both films are similar in many ways. It's about people as monsters. My goodness, what an insufferable,
self-absorbed prick Jonathan Balser is with his two girls taking after him. Obviously, Tina has gone mad
after taking so much of his belittling. Then, she tries to change the scenery by cheating on him with George
Prager who turns out to be a huge selfish jerk in a different manner.
Initially, I thought Richard Benjamin got the attention, and then, there came Frank Langella to dominate the
show effortlessly. For the longest time, Carrie Snodgress was striking so much that she had no chance
against either. But she did quietly turn in an outstanding performance, being the only one of the cast to earn
an Academy Award nomination. Therefore, it's really Carrie Snodgress' picture.
Back to Frank Langella, I can't believe how seductive he is. Dracula was
made nine years too late. Had he done it in 1970, I would've totally believed him as the titular character.
Truth be told, Frank Langella was just getting started in the movie business just like Alice Cooper and Peter
Boyle, and nobody knew who he was. On the other hand, the writing is excellent although it can be somewhat
disjointed at the beginning.
All in all, for a depressing picture, Diary of a Mad Housewife is superb and very realistic.