Desperate Characters

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As seen through the eyes of the characters of this edgy drama, New York City seems to be a breeding ground of lives of quiet desperation. Addressing burgeoning themes whose topicality has not faded, Gilroy's adaptation of Paula Fox's novel is a moody character study which taps into the white fears of urban living in the early 1970s. The story follows the tedium that is the life of married couple MacLaine and Mars as they eke out a daily existence. That the film is never tedious is as much a credit to director Gilroy's deft touch as it is to the two excellent performances by MacLaine and Mars. Giving one of her most accomplished portrayals, MacLaine has rarely been as powerfully understated. Mars - largely known for his comedic roles - is equally commanding in his dramatic debut.