Film Review: Single White Female (1992)

Life of a New York yuppie can have its share of challenges, and this is situation in which protagonist of Single White Female, 1992 psychological thriller directed by Barbet Schroeder, finds herself in. The plot, based on SWF Seeks Same, novel by John Lutz, begins when talented software designer Allison “Allie” Jones (played by Bridget Fonda) discovers that her fiance Sam Rawson (played by Steven Weber) has been cheating her with his ex-wife. Not wanting to live alone or burden herself with rent for luxurious Upper West Side apartment, she puts the ad in newspaper looking for a room mate. After seeing couple of possible candidates, she opts for Hedra “Hedy” Carlson (played by Jennife Jason Leigh), shy and unsophisticated woman. Despite their differences Allie and Hedy become friends, but gradually Hedy begins to show her dark side and desire to dominate Allie’s life. Hedy’s increasingly strange behaviour, which includes her copying Allie’s clothes and hairstyle, escalate when Sam returns to Allie. Hedy is determined to prevent Allie and Sam living together and won’t stop at nothing, including manipulation, violence and even murder.

Single White Female is in its essence a “high concept” thriller very much like those that were popular in Hollywood at the time and featured seemingly innocuous individual who is actually able to make protagonists’ life into living hell. The difference with this film that protagonist isn’t part of traditional middle or upper class family, but actually young urban professional. What truly sets this film apart is great sense of style by French director Barbet Schroeder, who uses famed Italian cinematographer Luciano Tovoli to create specific atmosphere of claustrophobia and confusion within interiors modelled after famous New York building the Ansonia. Schroeder also, more than most of Hollywood thrillers at the time, applies a lot of nudity as well as some sex scenes, including one which is quite memorable. Cast is also very good. Bridget Fonda, who plays attractive but somewhat androgynous woman, does a solid job, but she is easily overshadowed by Jennifer Jason Leigh, actress known for doing great things with thankless roles. Leigh easily transforms from plain woman at the beginning into effective seductress in the middle before she becomes psychotic villain near the end. Script by Don Roos is, however, quite underwhelming. Hedy’s lunacy is never properly explained, while character of Allie lacks any kind of background. There is some attempt to make this thriller feminist, especially in the scene when Allie has to deal with her sleazy business client played by Stephen Tobolowsky, but for most critics and audience that aspect was overshadowed by exploitation content. The finale, which predictably turns into slasher film with Allie functioning as Final Girl, is well-directed but nevertheless slightly disappointing. Single White Female is nevertheless mostly effectivce thriller that represents one of the better examples of the genre and one among few that could be enjoyed as “guilty pleasure”.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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