Husbands

Movies of the 70s can be defined by their authenticity, when you pass by a movie on TV from this era you can clearly tell in just a second or two it was made during this time. Whether it’s the characters clothes, how they talk, or the environments they take place in.  This authenticity provides a richness and texture to the films which separate them from the rest. One such film of the era, Husbands, directed by John Cassavetes, is an example of this. After the death of a close friend, three best friends get together for nothing more than a night of drinking and the telling and re-telling of old stories. It’s a common act friends of all ages partake in, but after such a traumatic event, the three friends go deeper into the night of drunken debauchery and decide to skip town for an impromptu trip to London. Away from their wives, kids, and general responsibilities, the husbands live out their old glory days, gambling, talking to women, and drinking more, and more.

As the night lingers on into the morning, the numbing power of the alcohol and good times start to wear off and the “boys” begin to remember who they are now, and what their responsibility is now. They are husbands, fathers, and most importantly men. The strong bond of friendship, nostalgia, and the idea of what it means to be a man is on display in this film. And with such a strong cast of 70s era stars (Cassavetes in a Director/Actor role, Ben Gazzara, and Peter Falk) this indie film packs an emotional punch of realness and makes for one of the strongest of its kind in an era known for its authenticity. It’s a film that can entertain (or scare) middle-aged husbands of the current era, as well as resonate for the younger men on the horizon, and whose carefree days are starting to get numbered.

Directed By: John Casavetes

Starring: John Casavetes, Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk

Runtime: 142 minutes Year Released: 1970