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

Whoopi Goldberg auditioned for the role of Allison Jones.

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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 (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 Bob's Burgers: Mazel Tina (2014)

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Soundtracks

RHYTHM OF TIME
Written by Daniel Bresanutti, Patrick Codenys, Jean-Luc de Meyer and Richard Ik
Performed by Front 242
Courtesy of RRE Records and Epic Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

Close. Real Close.

Formulaic, formulaic… yeah it's routine Hollywood psycho-thriller territory, but too visually well made by director Barbet Schroeder and comfortably performed in the shape of Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh to not get something out of it. The story (adapted off John Lutz's novel "SWF Seeks Same") plays its cards quite early, and goes about the subject in a too convenient manner to make it entirely effective. Quite a slow build-up and many sub-plots stem off the central plot, as we watch Leigh's character's twitchy transformation suddenly grow and form the basis of the early groundwork that would eventually unsettle Fonda's fragile character. A resourceful Schroeder sure does a brilliant job with many artistic flourishes, and inspired gimmick set-pieces where you just can't help but admire Luciano Tovoli's lyrically smooth cinematography. However trying to register the suspense, became hard due to leading us down the same old path of cheap clichéd jolts and shinny techniques. Although the potent climax goes over-board, it's particularly heart-pounding and downright exciting. There's nothing overtly tame about it, with its seamless nudity and tantalizing sex, and a wicked death here and there. But it's all tastefully done. Howard Shore's sumptuously airy musical score feeds off the well used location and compact sets (especially that of the stark Victorian apartment building) that are very ideal to the film's progression. In the two leads, a gorgeous Fonda is terrific and Leigh's needly attachable turn is one of confidence. The chemistry works, and when it comes to it they sure do look like each other. Talk about eerie. There's also solid support by Steven Weber, Peter Friedman and Stephen Tobolowsky.

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