Single White Female (1992)

A woman advertising for a new roommate finds that something very strange is going on with the tenant who decides to move in.

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Writers:

John Lutz (novel), Don Roos (screenplay)

Stars:

Bridget Fonda, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Steven Weber

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bridget Fonda	...	Allison Jones
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Hedra Carlson
Steven Weber	...	Sam Rawson
Peter Friedman	...	Graham Knox
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Mitchell Myerson
Frances Bay	...	Elderly Neighbor
Michele Farr	...	Myerson's Assistant
Tara Karsian	...	Mannish Applicant
Christiana D'Amore	...	Exotic Applicant (as Christiana Capetillo)
Jessica Lundy	...	Talkative Applicant
Renée Estevez	...	Perfect Applicant (as Rene Estevez)
Tiffany Mataras	...	Twin
Krystle Mataras	...	Twin
Amelia Campbell	...	Check Cashier
Kenneth Tobey	...	Desk Clerk (as Ken Tobey)

Storyline

When a 'Single White Female' places an ad in the press for a similar woman to rent a room (to replace the boyfriend she's just left), all the applicants seem weird. Then along comes a level headed woman who seems to be just right. The new lodger has a secret past which haunts her.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | roommate | male nudity | female nudity | female star appears nude | 

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Taglines:

In this city, on this street, in this apartment, an ad for a roommate brought a stranger into Alison's life. Someone who shares... someone who borrows... someone who schemed to be her.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, and for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mujer soltera busca

Filming Locations:

Ansonia Hotel, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,212,401, 16 August 1992

Gross USA:

$47,922,919

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Like most old apartment buildings, the building in this movie does not contain a thirteenth floor. You can see the floor numbers on the elevator in a couple of shots.

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Goofs

When Alley and Hedy enter the hair salon, the boom mic is reflected in the right-hand window.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sam Rawson: [Sam talks to Allie while laying in bed] So how many kids do we want?
Allison Jones: I don't know. What's the statistical norm?
Sam Rawson: Oh... You and your statistics. One point two.
Allison Jones: Hm... Okay, then I want two point two. And I want them to look like you.
Sam Rawson: Oh, those poor kids.

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Connections

Referenced in Jesse: Crazy White Female (1999)

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Soundtracks

TRIO SONATA IN C, RV 60
Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by The Purcell Quartet
Courtesy of Hyperion Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Not bad, for the early 90's...

if you compare what other fare was offered to the audience, in the way of suspense/psycho films. Also, Jennifer Jason Leigh is always interesting to watch, she adds depth to an otherwise one-dimensional character.

Bridget Fonda is also good, as Allison Jones, a NY designer on her way up, (there is an amusing scene with Stephen Tobolowsky as her sleazy client). It is a bit hard to believe the square footage of the NY apartment however, for two young single girls to be renting something that size. Also, some scenes reminded me of Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby"; the laundry room, the storage area, etc.

Steven Weber is the faithless fiancé, with whom Fonda has a falling-out, and then Hedy (Jason Leigh) decides he is fair game. She has a psychological disorder, apparently lost her twin sister at a young age, and has never recovered.

The usual psychodrama ensues. Fonda's upstairs neighbor, Graham, attempts to help her, advises her to get Hedy to leave the apartment. One scene which is quite odd is where Allison follows Hedy to a bar, there is some inference to "S and M" type behavior, but this is not developed. Strange.

Worth watching for Jason Leigh's performance, or if you like Bridget Fonda. Not the best thriller- If you want something truly psychologically frightening rent Polanski's "Repulsion", starring Catherine Deneuve.