Drama
United States of America
Puzzle of a Downfall Child is a psychological drama released in 1970 and directed by Jerry Schatzberg. The film stars Faye Dunaway in the lead role of Lou Andreas Sand, a formerly successful fashion model who is now struggling with mental health issues.
The movie is presented as a series of disjointed memories that Lou is reliving as she tries to make sense of her life. These memories include her time working for various fashion houses in New York, where she is constantly under pressure to look perfect and meet the demands of her clients.
At the heart of Lou's troubles are her relationships with the men in her life. She has a passionate affair with Mark, an advertising executive who is married, and whose obsession with her only fuels her insecurities. She also has a close friendship with Aaron, a photographer who seems to understand her better than anyone else, but who ultimately cannot save her from her downward spiral.
As the film progresses, we see Lou's mental health deteriorate, and her grip on reality loosen. She becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, and her memories become more fragmented and surreal. Ultimately, the film becomes a meditation on the pressures of the fashion industry, the toll they take on the human psyche, and the isolation that can come with fame.
