Movie

Desperate Characters

★ 5.1(8)19711h 37m

Desperate Characters is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube in Canada. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there yet. Availability checked 11 June 2026.

Where to watch Desperate Characters

🇨🇦 Canada

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Good to know

Director: Frank D. Gilroy
Release date: 1971-09-22
Runtime: 1h 37m
Language: English
Status: Released
Country: United Kingdom
Studio: T.D.J. Productions Inc.

About Desperate Characters

Desperate Characters is a 1971 movie in the Drama genre, directed by Frank D. Gilroy, starring Shirley MacLaine, Kenneth Mars and Sada Thompson. It has a runtime of 1 hour 37 minutes. It holds an average rating of 5.1/10 from 8 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Desperate Characters in Canada — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

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.

Cast

Shirley MacLaine

Sophie Bentwood

Kenneth Mars

Otto Bentwood

Sada Thompson

Claire

Jack Somack

Leon

Gerald S. O'Loughlin

Charlie

Chris Gampel

Mike Holstein

Mary Alan Hokanson

Flo Holstein

Robert Bauer

Young Man

Carol Kane

Young Girl

Michael Higgins

Francis Early

Michael McAloney

Raconteur

Wallace Rooney

Man on Subway

Themes & keywords

depressionnew york cityhusband wife relationshipbased on novel or bookmidlife crisisdespairboredomparanoiafrigidityvandalismchildlessnessmiddle classloveless marriageanxiety

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Desperate Characters in Canada?+

In Canada, Desperate Characters is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there right now.

Is Desperate Characters on Netflix?+

Desperate Characters is not on Netflix in Canada right now.

How long is Desperate Characters?+

Desperate Characters has a runtime of 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

Who stars in Desperate Characters?+

Desperate Characters stars Shirley MacLaine, Kenneth Mars, Sada Thompson, Jack Somack and Gerald S. O'Loughlin.

When did Desperate Characters come out?+

Desperate Characters is a 1971 movie directed by Frank D. Gilroy.

What genre is Desperate Characters?+

Desperate Characters is Drama film.

Who directed Desperate Characters?+

Desperate Characters was directed by Frank D. Gilroy.