Le Journal intime d'une femme mariée

Brilliant, perceptive look at isolation. Story works on multiple levels from offbeat comedy, to drama, satire, and even feminist viewpoint. It's all rather low key, but slowly builds for a strong impact. Centers around a upper middle class New York housewife who becomes increasingly frustrated at the alienation from her husband, children, and his friends. For a escape she has a affair with a man (Langella) that seems exciting and different, but in the end treats her just as poorly. Ultimately she comes to the conclusion that under the facade he and many others are just as disconnected. Film works on the basic perception that isolation is a definite reality of modern living. Terrific ending puts it all into perspective. Takes some good satirical jabs at the 'upwardly mobile', also has good color detail and a interesting visual style. Snodgrass's performance is excellent in a rather difficult role. Forced to put on a 'happy face' by her obnoxious ,social climbing husband she is still able to convey her frustrations to the viewer through body language, voice tones, and facial expressions. A four star sleeper and one of Frank and Eleanor Perry's most complete work. For TV some scenes were taken out while others added making it slightly different from the theatrical version. For instance in the TV version Snodgrass meets Langella while walking her dog. In the theatrical version she meets him at a party.

Singer songwriter Neil Young was watching this very movie on TV in the early seventies. He fell in love with Carrie Snodgrass,eventually meeting her and having a son with her. They never married. The incident was immortalized in song on his legendary Harvest album in 1972. The song is entitled A Man Needs A Maid . The last verse tells the story: "A while ago somewhere I don't know when I was watching a movie with a friend. I fell in love with the actress. She was playing a part that I could understand.

A maid. A man needs a maid. A maid." Lyrics by Neil Young Because of this song I searched out the movie and just loved it. When will it be issued on DVD. After reading the review by the experiment in editing guy, I would just love to see his version. I am not sure which version I saw. I think it was the darker version.

I've often wondered if the lady of the title is crazy-mad,or angry-mad.Probably some of both.Benjamin's husband is one of the truly most detestable characters of domestic drama.Selfish,overbearing,pompous,ego-centric,domineering,callous,insensitiv e-and those are his good qualities.In all fairness,I don't think that Richard Benjamin likes him either.He's not a character,he's a caricature.And Langella's lover is every bit as much a swine.Oh,granted,he's sexy and sensuous,but he's every bit as much a villain-and equally immature.Maybe things were different back then,but Tina's decision to stick around after the nonsense her husband pulled,seen in a 90's perspective,makes one wonder as to any masochistic tendencies in her makeup.

Richard Benjamin would drive anyone crazy in 'Diary of a Mad Housewife'(1970).Benjamin and wife Carrie Snodgrass are an upper- middle class New York couple, he totally absorbed with social climbing and Ms. Snodgrass bored to death with her isolated life.Director Frank Perry(David and Lisa) does an excellent job directing this sometimes funny, sometimes sad film of a materialistic, yet emotionally empty lifestyle.Script by Eleanor Perry.

If one were to make a list of the All-time Most Annoying Movie Characters, it would properly include only those whom we can enjoy as they annoy. They're the ones who cause you to smile as you squirm, not those who make you reach for the remote. Right alongside DeNiro's Rupert Pupkin, and Honey, as played by Sandy Dennis (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf), ranks Richard Benjamin as Jonathan Balser. His unctuous whine is the best reason to watch this period piece. Carrie Snodgress, as the brunt of his annoying personality, also does a fine job. Frank Langella, playing her lover, is a bit too unlikeable, but it only serves to heighten our empathy for the unfortunate heroine.