Single White Female

Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Bridget Fonda	Allison Jones
Jennifer Jason Leigh	Hedra Carlson
Steven Weber	Sam Rawson
Peter Friedman	Graham Knox
Stephen Tobolowsky	Mitchell Myerson
Frances Bay	Elderly Neighbor
Eric Poppick	Nosy Neighbor
Tiffany Mataras	Twin
Ken Tobey	Desk Clerk
Michele Farr	Myerson's Assistant
Tara Karsian	Mannish Applicant
Christiana Capetillo	Exotic Applicant
Jessica Lundy	Talkative Applicant

Director	Barbet Schroeder
Producer	Barbet Schroeder; Jack Baran; Susan Hoffman
Writer	Don Roos; John Lutz
Cinematography	Luciano Tovoli
Musician	Howard Shore

When Alison (Bridget Fonda) discovers her fiancé, Sam’s infidelity and kicks him out of her Manhattan apartment, she advertises for a “single white female” roommate to share the costs. After some strange and unsuitable applicants are rejected, along comes Hedra (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a seemingly quiet and respectable roommate. Things begin well and the two get on famously until Alison begins noticing small incidents that just don’t add up. Hedra seems intent on becoming more and more like Alison and begins to get controlling. After the strange behavior persists, including the unexplained death of their puppy, Alison confides in her neighbor, Graham who takes an interest. The re-entry of Alison’s fiancé exacerbates matters further. It soon becomes apparent that Hedra is troubled by a traumatic past and is less than the emotionally stable and quiet roommate she first appeared to be. As she becomes increasingly hostile, the tension builds until there is a dramatic and climatic confrontation between the two. Based on a novel by John Lutz.

You can take this 1992 thriller one of two ways: it's either a highly suspenseful movie about an unfortunate young woman's psychological breakdown, or it's a glossy slasher movie starring two of Hollywood's best young actresses. Or maybe it's both at the same time--or perhaps it's the clever and well-acted thriller for its first hour before resorting to the routine shocks of a cheap horror flick. However you look at it, there's no denying that this is a dynamite showcase for Jennifer Jason Leigh as the roommate from hell who becomes the bane of Bridget Fonda's existence. First she picks up Fonda's mannerisms, then starts to borrow her wardrobe, cuts her hair to resemble Fonda's, and even "borrows" her roomie's boyfriend for a deceitful night of lovemaking. By that point Fonda's totally freaking out (wouldn't you?), and, well, that's when the whole thing gets a little too silly. Still, this is a nifty little shocker, and director Barbet Schroeder brings more intelligence and style to the material than it really deserves. Add that to the fine performances by the battling roommates and you've got a movie that will make you think twice before inviting total strangers to live with you. --Jeff Shannon