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The mirrored image of the two children putting lipstick on immediately creates a stellar atmosphere of distrust. Coupled with Howard Shore’s eerie soundtrack and, yes, this thriller gets off on the right foot.
The second we see the rent-controlled Upper West Side apartment that strikes a very ominous vibe, director Barbet Schroeder (Barfly, Reversal Of Fortune) has us enthralled: Single White Female, offering us tangled and twisted comparisons to Hitchcock’s Vertigo, does a lot of things right.
And, yes, the film – starring a very on point Bridget Fonda AND Jennifer Jason Leigh – remains a very powerful work of psychological terror, thanks to the contrast that builds between two women in New York City. Let the film scholars go to town. This film, often ripe for pop culture parody, still works.
These two women are quick friends but, as Hedy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) discovers more and more things out about the grieving Allie (Bridget Fonda), who has opened her apartment up to Hedy after her fiancée slept with his ex-wife, she decides to reciprocate and tells her about the death of her twin at an early age.
These two are going to hit it off . . . or so we are led to believe.
Warning signs are not heeded and soon enough, the two women are on different sides of the same man, Sam (Steven Weber). Lines are crossed and lives are intertwined as Hedy, with virtually no identity outside of what others tell her she is and isn’t, becomes totally obsessed with Allison. A puppy is purchased. Clothes are shared and, soon enough, Hedy finds herself completely reliant upon the vexing Allison . . . and her single white female status. {googleads}
It’s as if that damn Enigma song – you know the one I am talking about (as it is often overused in sex scenes from the era) – wasn’t warning enough.
But, truthfully, it can be (and should be) argued that Allie, who truly blossoms into a friendly and successful woman under Hedy’s attention, changes, too. We know Hedy is up to something and is dangerous enough in the stability department to be a threat to Allison, but – as is the case with most psychological terrors – it is Allie who collapses quite willfully into her trap. The two feed off of each other.
It’s fun to play with the topics here: lesbians, close friends, or just a simple slasher. Single White Female plays with a lot of ideas throughout the film, eventually resting on doppelgangers thanks to scenes in nightgowns and a mirroring of poses. And all those evil twin shenanigans are echoed majestically throughout the slow burn of this film.
From the production design of the thriller to the beautiful (and well-paced) cinematography of Luciano Tovoli, this thriller is far better than its overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes gives it credit. It is a fan favorite and, thanks to a willingness to go there with sex and nudity, delivers one of the more memorable thrillers of the 1990s.
Scream Factory, with this release, gives the perfect roommate from Hell a whole new reason to kill and kill again. Don’t let the “Sadeness” take you from behind . . .
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[tab title="Details"]
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 107 mins
Director: Barbet Schroeder
Writer: Don Roos
Cast: Bridget Fonda, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Steven Weber
Genre: Drama | Thriller
Tagline: Living with a roommate can be murder.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Oh, this is a little embarrassing, but... since we're letting our hair down - These old air vents between our apartments carry sound. It's a weird accoustic thing."
Theatrical Distributor: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Official Site:
Release Date: August 14, 1992
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: November 13, 2018
Synopsis: "SWF seeks female to share apt in West 70s; Non-smkr, professional preferred" – opens the door to murderous, psychotic terror in this pulse-pounding shocker starring Bridget Fonda (Jackie Brown) and Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight). After an unfaithful fiancé leaves her suddenly single, Allison Jones (Fonda) advertises for a roommate to share her spacious apartment. But when the introverted Hedra (Leigh) moves in, she doesn't just take over Allie's spare bedroom. She takes over her clothes, her boyfriend ... and her identity. An unrelenting thriller from director Barbet Schroeder (Barfly, Reversal Of Fortune), Single White Female boasts terrific performances and stylish suspense to die for.
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - November 13, 2018
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS HD Master Audio Stereo
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; single disc
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Single White Female is presented on blu-ray thanks to Scream Factory’s new HD transfer. The film; however, really needed a new 2K or 4K scan. Neither happened. While the DTS HD Master Audio Stereo soundtrack is strong, there are some scenes where a bit too much softness has seeped into the overall photography. Blacks are solid and colors are strong for the most part, but it is a missed opportunity to truly give this film, presented here with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, a true Collector’s Edition.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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Thankfully, fans get a NEW commentary with Barbet Schroeder, Editor Lee Percy, and Associate Producer Susan Hoffman.
Special Features:
- With NEW interviews from the crew, including Barbet Schroeder and Steven Weber, this release will have its fans purring with delight.
- NEW Audio Commentary With Director Barbet Schroeder, Editor Lee Percy, And Associate Producer Susan Hoffman
- NEW Interview With Director Barbet Schroeder
- NEW Interview With Actor Steven Weber
- NEW Interview With Actor Peter Friedman
- NEW Interview With Screenwriter Don Roos
- Theatrical Trailer
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[tab title="Trailer"]
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