As Newman and Woodward mature into the early 1970s, they are more willing to let their movies mirror their lives, and/or in turn be overtaken personally by the goings-on in the movies. These include
Winning (1969) (Newman's newfound passion for automobile racing, and to a lesser extent showing a relationship akin to his relationship with troubled only son,
Scott Newman),
WUSA (1970) (their interest in politics), many movies showing Newman, a real life functioning alcoholic, as a heavy drinker, and
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972) where Woodward plays what she considers a horrible mother against real life daughter, and she bringing her character home at the end of the day. And being in the spotlight as a couple for almost two decades begins to show its wear on their relationship in not only the good but the bad for the whole world to see.
—Huggo