Surprisingly incoherent and boring

hyped garbage

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

First, I wanted to watch it because of Bridget, but after watching recently DC and FB, I felt it was worthy too because of Jennifer. So their meeting should be engaging and it has been in fact more than that because the movie challenged me in addition on several personal items. Because I live in one of the poshest area of Paris but in a monk or prisoner cell size studio, I'm highly sensitive to stories that focus on houses (like Dark Water). Here, the place is fantastic because this is an old NYC building, with no modern appliances, high ceilings, maze rooms, and individualistic neighbors… The other development that speaks to me is the twin factor as I'm indeed one. I think it's a heavy factor to build own's personality because it's hard to tie and it's always comparison. In a way, you don't exist by yourself as you are always stuck with your twin. So I could understand the troubles Jenny could feel and her parasitic mood. The last part of the movie is maybe less believable but it's interesting as it's a sort of Misery but in a city! Usually we can think that abductees are hidden in recluse country locations but cities are like a wild jungle and with blind and mind their own business neighbors, this can happen right next door!So the expected meeting was really captivating, gripping, moving and scary as Bridget is really this cool, smiling, careless and helping girl and Jenny is rather this fragile, determined, brooding one….

SINGLE WHITE FEMALE is one of the many psycho-thrillers that were popular in the early '90s after FATAL ATTRACTION made the genre fashionable. I was going to add 'worst' into that first sentence because I didn't like this film at all and it doesn't come close to others like THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE or BASIC INSTINCT. This has a good premise – being stalked by somebody who wants to be you – but the film is ruined thanks to poor execution and direction that strives for art house style but ultimately offers boredom rather than entertainment.One of my biggest problems with this film is that there's nobody to root for. Bridget Fonda plays it aloof and cold throughout, but I've seen her much better in other movies like KISS OF THE DRAGON or A SIMPLE PLAN, so this must have been intentional. She's one of those heroines where you don't give a fig what happens to her. Jennifer Jason Leigh reminded me of Juliette Lewis a little, although I think Juliette would have done the kooky angle a lot better; she's never frightening. Then there are repulsive supporting characters, like the jerk boyfriend (THE SHINING miniseries' Steven Weber), the slightly creepy upstairs neighbour, and the perverted boss. Nobody here is warm or appealing at all.The movie does have a couple of good moments, mainly in the violence that Leigh eventually wreaks. The dog-from-the-balcony scene is a goodie and the infamous stiletto scene makes a real impact (pun intended). Things also pick up for the elaborate climax, and the last half an hour was a lot better than the first hour. It's not enough to save a lacklustre movie that'll always be a 'could have been so much more' in my mind.

Single White Female (1992): Dir: Barbet Schroeder / Cast: Bridget Fonda, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Steven Weber, Peter Friedman, Stephen Tobolowski: Engaging thriller with a title that references the relationship status of one female while symbolizing the emptiness of the other. Bridget Fonda plays successful software designer Allison Jones, who just ended a relationship when she learns of his infidelity. Jennifer Jason Leigh plays Hedra Carlson who answers the roommate ad. Predictably they begin as friends until Jones discovers things missing and Hedra gradually duplicating her lifestyle to the point of smothering. This arrives at a surprisingly effective climax where its moral tone is highlighted. Director Barbet Schroeder is aided by good locations, particularly a large apartment building that may remind viewers of Rosemary's Baby. Fonda and Leigh have great chemistry. Fonda at one point, is bound and gagged to a chair and eye expressions indicate that she must think fast to defuse Hedra. Leigh is maddening making one wrong obsessive decision after another. In supporting roles are Steven Weber as Fonda's cheating boyfriend who receives a rather erotic visit from Hedra. Peter Friedman plays Graham, Fonda's gay neighbor and close friend. Stephen Tobolowski plays Fonda's sleazy boss. Theme addresses a damaged soul caused by emptiness and the struggle to fill the void. Score: 9 / 10

The movie opens with twin girls playing with makeup. Only child Allison Jones (Bridget Fonda) is living in a big rent control apartment in NYC with her boyfriend Sam Rawson (Steven Weber). She kicks him out for sleeping with his ex-wife. Her only friend is her upstairs gay neighbor Graham. She decides to place an ad SWF and applicant Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh) comes in catching her crying. Hedra comforts her and they become fast friends. Hedra slowly starts to infiltrate her life and copying her style. Her only client Mitchell Myerson is a creep.This is a great creepy sexy B-thriller. It's a great example of a well made exploitation movie. There are some memorable scenes and SWF becomes ingrained into the societal lexicon. Fonda is a good sweetheart and JJL is great as the disturbed mental case.