Desperate Characters (1971): cast, story & where to watch
1971 · Film · ★ 5.6
Released in 1971, Desperate Characters is a drama film directed by Frank D. Gilroy, running about 97 minutes.
What it’s about. Sophie and Otto Bentwood are a middle-aged, middle class, childless Brooklyn Heights couple trapped in a loveless marriage. He is an attorney, she a translator of books. Their existence is affected not only by their disintegrating relationship but by the threats of urban crime and vandalism that surround them everywhere they turn, leaving them feeling paranoid, scared, and desperately helpless.
Who’s in it. Desperate Characters stars Shirley MacLaine as Sophie Bentwood, Sada Thompson as Claire, Kenneth Mars as Otto Bentwood and Jack Somack as Leon, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.6/10, Desperate Characters has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Desperate Characters page.
If you liked it. Fans of Desperate Characters tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Desperate Characters (1971)?
- In US, Desperate Characters is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Desperate Characters worth watching?
- Desperate Characters holds an audience score of 5.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Desperate Characters?
- Desperate Characters stars Shirley MacLaine, Sada Thompson, Kenneth Mars, Jack Somack and Gerald S. O'Loughlin.
- When was Desperate Characters released?
- Desperate Characters was released in 1971, with a runtime of about 97 minutes.