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 | female star appears nude | roommate | female nudity | antisocial personality disorder | 

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Taglines:

Living with a roommate can be murder.

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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

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 Hedy kill's Sam with her shoe, it's still in his eye when he falls down near the door. When Hedy stand's over him, poking him with her toes, the shoe is back in her hand.

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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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Alternate Versions

For the Indian theatrical release, the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) made cuts for an 'A' (restricted to adults) rating.

• Reduce by 50% the love-making scene between Allie and Sam (Length Retained: 9.00 ft.)
• Delete the visuals of the nude Hedra in the bath-tub.
• Delete the visuals of bare breasted Hedra in bed while masturbating.
• Reduce by 60% the visuals of the naked Hedra under the shower, deleting her frontal nudity (Length Retained: 7.07 ft.)
• Reduce by 60% the visuals of love-making between Hedra and Sam, deleting visuals of her bare breasts (Length Retained: 45.00 ft.).

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Connections

Referenced in Melrose Place: Dead Sisters Walking (1996)

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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

"Hedy's Been Wonderful! I'm Sure She'll Understand!"...

As the title implies, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE is about what happens when an ad for a housemate is answered by someone rather... troubled. Allison (Bridget Fonda) places the ad after her fiance, Sam (Steven Weber), turns out to be a not-so charming prince. Yep, he's been cheating on her.

Enter Hedra "Hedy" Carlson (Jennifer Jason-Leigh), who appears to be the perfect candidate. At first, all goes amazingly well, and the two get along great. Of course, this wouldn't be much of a thriller if everything went peachy. So, it's not long before Sam starts wooing Allison back, and Hedy starts exhibiting some odd quirks and rather unsettling behaviors. Things only get worse from here. What's a woman-gone-berserk to do next? Why, kill everyone in her way, naturally!

SWF came out at a time when similar psychological thrillers were all the rage. Ms.' Fonda and Jason-Leigh are quite good in their roles, with Allison going from clueless to suspicious to fighting for survival, while Hedy goes from seemingly shy to completely bananas! Those who love this sort of movie will love this one. Those who don't, can blame FATAL ATTRACTION.

P.S.- Anyone enamored with the female form will be overjoyed to know that both Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason-Leigh spend relatively lengthy periods of time in their birthday suits!...

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Single White Female

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:

$48,017,402

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$48,017,402

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1