Faithful (1996)

Paul Mazursky's 1996 black comedy, *Faithful*, starring Cher, Ryan O'Neal, and Chazz Palminteri, centers on a depressed housewife whose husband is having an affair and who contemplates suicide. Her plans take an unexpected turn, however, when she finds herself facing death at the hands of a killer hired by her husband to do her in, forcing her to re-evaluate her life and her will to survive. The film unfolds largely as an extended, tense, yet often darkly humorous conversation between the wife and her would-be assassin, creating an intimate and unexpected exploration of desperation, betrayal, and the fundamental human instinct for survival. While often overlooked in his celebrated filmography, *Faithful* is a quintessential Paul Mazursky picture that encapsulates many of his signature themes and stylistic choices, making it a deserving entry on a "Best Of" list. It masterfully blends dark comedy with genuine human drama, a hallmark of Mazursky's approach to examining the complexities of modern relationships and existential angst. The film's extended, witty dialogue between Cher's beleaguered wife and Palminteri's conflicted hitman is classic Mazursky – sharp, observational, and rich in the kind of psychological interplay that defines his best work, reminiscent of the verbal sparring in films like *An Unmarried Woman* or *Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice*. It's a compelling exploration of infidelity, survival, and rediscovering one's will to live, filtered through Mazursky’s unique lens of sophisticated cynicism and unexpected warmth, solidifying its place among his most representative and underrated works.