Review of 3 Women (1977) by Sarah F — 06 Dec 2006
Robert Altman says that the setup of 3 Women came to him in a dream. This makes perfect sense as you watch the film which proceeds from the first frame in a very strange, dreamlike fashion.
Shelly Duvall and Sissy Spacek were, apparently, part of Altman's dream the night the film took shape and both of them are excellent. Duvall is funny and sad as the girl who is always saying how many people are interested in her when, as we see, almost nobody is. Spacek plays her innocent adrift once more. She's still brilliant at it and, crucially, still looks young enough to pull it off. Spacek takes the acting honours though with a third act twist that completely alters her character making her, at a stroke, more sexual and otherwise more adult. This could have undone the film had Alman not had an actress as capable as Spacek of carrying off the sudden shift.
At just over two hours it is a bit long and the third woman of the title (Janice Rule) is largely superfluous but when it focuses in on Spacek and Duvall this is Altman at his best.
This review of 3 Women (1977) was written by Sarah F on 06 Dec 2006.
3 Women has generally received very positive reviews.
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