3 Women (1977)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Robert Altman (written by)

Release Date:

25 May 1977 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

1 woman became 2/2 women became 3/3 women became 1

Plot:

Shy, reclusive girl Pinky starts work at a sanitarium and becomes emotionally attached to her fellow worker...

Plot Keywords:

Cafeteria | Hospital | Giving Birth | Pregnancy | Microwave Oven

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Shelley Duvall	...	Mildred "Millie" Lammoreaux
Sissy Spacek	...	Pinky Rose
Janice Rule	...	Willie Hart
Robert Fortier	...	Edgar Hart
Ruth Nelson	...	Mrs. Rose
John Cromwell	...	Mr. Rose
Sierra Pecheur	...	Ms. Bunweil
Craig Richard Nelson	...	Dr. Maas
Maysie Hoy	...	Doris
Belita Moreno	...	Alcira
Leslie Ann Hudson	...	Polly
Patricia Ann Hudson	...	Peggy
Beverly Ross	...	Deidre
John Davey	...	Dr. Norton

Also Known As:

Robert Altman's 3 Women (USA) (complete title)
Three Women (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

USA:124 min (FMC Library Print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:AA (original rating) (1977) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2006) | Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | West Germany:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Desert Hot Springs, California, USA

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

Shelley Duvall's skirt getting stuck in the car door was initially accidental. Robert Altman found it amusing and asked her to intentionally do it throughout the rest of the filming.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Millie and Pinkie prepare for dinner party, the time line is way out of whack. Scene begins in early morning, as Millie wakes Pinkie and tells her she is going grocery shopping for the dinner. Millie returns from store (presumably within an hour or so), Pinkie carries out garbage after spilling shrimp cocktail on herself and, en route to trash cans, meets dinner guests who say they can't come because they're on way to a beer joint instead - a scene that would have occurred no later than mid-morning and means that seven or more hours are unaccounted for.

Quotes:

Willie Hart: I had the most wonderful dream...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004) (TV)

Mix Drama with Black Comedy with Bizarre with Fantasy = Wonderful

Indeed, few movies can haunt you 20 years after you've first seen them. Not only that, even after you've seen them 20 times, still leaving you with a desire to see them again and again? 3 Women is just such a movie. From it's haunting Gerald Busby score, to Bodhi Wind's arresting murals, to the captivating performances by Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek to Robert Altman's deft writing and direction. This is a movie which will haunt you and fascinate you.

I knew this movie was no ordinary movie when I seemed to be the only one in that 1977 audience who caught onto Shelley's disobedient skirt. Things began to appear slanted just off center - you just didn't know how off center they were. And that was and is the magic of this film. You never know what utter ridiculous impossibility of life will take hold of you and bring you through such a unusual journey.

Even as the credits start to roll, you begin to wonder: what have I just witnessed? what does this mean? why does it leave me wanting for answers?

Only after you've seen it as many times as I have do you stop asking those questions and accept all of these occurences as another window in the mind of a genius, which is Robert Altman. With all due respect to Nashville, this is his pinnacle of achievement.