sentences:  John Cassavetes was inspired to write "A Woman Under the Influence" when his wife Gena Rowlands expressed a desire to appear in a play about the difficulties faced by contemporary women.His completed script was so intense and emotional she knew she would be unable to perform it eight times a week, so he decided to adapt it for the screen.When he tried to raise funding for the project, he was told, "No one wants to see a crazy, middle-aged dame."