Review of Single White Female (1992) by Stuart K — 23 Apr 2012

Directed by Barbet Schroeder (Maà (R)tresse (1976), Barfly (1987) and Reversal of Fortune (1990)), this is based on John Lutz's 1990 novel SWF Seeks Same, adapted here by Don Roos (The Opposite of Sex (1998)), this is a dark psychological thriller which has touches of Hitchcock all over it, it has two good female leads as well.

Allie Jones (Bridget Fonda) has just split up with her boyfriend Sam Rawson (Steven Weber), after Allie learns Sam is still seeing his ex-wife. So, he moves out, but advertises for a flatmate, and finds one in Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who Allie nicknames Hedy, she is quiet and friendly, but she also has a feeling of sadness and loneliness about her, but Allie and Hedy begin a good rapport.

But, when Sam starts leaving phone messages wanting Allie back, Hedy erases them, and even hides letters Sam sends to Allie. But, when it looks like Sam and Allie will get back together, Hedy goes about trying to sabotage their relationship, and Hedy even goes about copying Allie's appearance, right down to the hairdo, and Hedy's not finished there either.

.. It's a very taut, uncomfortable erotic thriller (you don't get many of them these days), but Fonda and Leigh play well of each other and they even get to kick some ass as well. Schroeder is a very good director, and he should be making more films.