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:

Allie's new roommate is about to borrow a few things without asking. Her clothes. Her boyfriend. Her life.

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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

Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh both wore wigs in this film.

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Goofs

After Heddy receives the phone call from her father, she hangs up and takes the phone off the hook. As she walks away, a busy signal is heard. Heddy yanks the phone out of the wall, yet a busy signal can still be heard.

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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 (Certificate #CFL/A/2516-MUM).

• 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 Motive: Dead End (2014)

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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.

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