UNHOOK THE STARS United States

Rowlands plays Mildred, a financially
secure widow whose husband has left her
a comfortable suburban house that she
now shares with her rebellious teenage
daughter, Ann Mary Margaret. After yet
another loud argument with her mother,
Ann Mary takes off with her boyfriend,
leaving Mildred alone in the oversize
house. But unexpected company arrives in
the person of neighbor Monica, a working-
class mom whose abusive husband,
Frankie, eventually leaves her and their 6-
year-old son, J.J. Mildred quickly takes a
liking to J.J., soon becoming his surrogate
mother … Though Mildred and Monica are
vastly different, slowly a friendship evolves
between them … Cassavetes provides a
light, benevolent view of a widow’s suburban
life. Mildred is alone, but she’s not isolated
or miserable-she accepts her new
situation with grace, dignity and pride, all
perfectly embodied by Rowlands. –
Emanuel Levy, Variety