Review of 3 Women (1977) by Carolyn W — 28 Oct 2015

Robert Altman was on a creative roll by 1977 and thanks to a sympathetic studio head at 20th Century Fox he was able to make this brilliant piece of work from a dream he had when his wife was ill!!!!

The film deals with the roles of duality, change of personality and a film where men are secondary feeders to the lead women of the cast.

Sissy Spacek is Pinky a withdrawn and almost childlike woman who travels from Texas to California to work in a health spa.

While she is shown the job she meets Millie played by Shelly Duvall who is more outgoing and always talking despite the fact almost no one seems to be listening to what she says.

Pinky is intrigued by Millie and whenshe becomes her flat mate the film takes a turn for the surreal.

Millie lives in a world of yellow with her house and even her car colour coordinated.

She is also drawn to a derelict bar known as Dodge city.

Where local artist Wille (Janice Rule)lives with her macho husband.

Soon Millie takes and interest in the husband and Pinky commits an act which will change everything that has gone before.

Altman is at the peak of his power here paying homage to Bergmans Persona and adding his own off beat spin to the Women's genre film.

All 3 female leads are outstanding but for me Shelly Duvall walks away with the film .

Her performance as Millie is possibly the best thing she ever did and its a shame more people didn't see the film on its first release.

The film is an eerie and dreamlike masterpiece and its one of the directors very best works.