Diary of a Mad Housewife Reviews

The angst of yuppiedom. Benjamin, one of the great film twits of our time, portrays a money-mad attorney who bullies his wife, Snodgress, to the point where she takes a lover, Langella. Soon enough Snodgress discovers Langella is every bit the twit Benjamin is, just a different sort of twit. Langella is self-centered and will play only with committed women because he is unable to commit himself. The plot takes Snodgress into several diverting episodes and culminates when she divests herself of both husband and lover and seeks solace in group therapy, only to learn that happiness doesn't reside in psychiatry, either. The three leads are excellent. Benjamin has been seen in many films as the consummate ass: THE MARRIAGE OF A YOUNG STOCKBROKER, THE SUNSHINE BOYS, LOVE AT FIRST BITE, THE STEAGLE, and as the ultimate nerd in PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT. Langella played the cad in a few more films and eventually the lead in John Badham's DRACULA. Snodgress was nominated for an Oscar for her role in this film, the highpoint of her career and the only nomination this rather slight picture received.