#peterfriedman

For what it is, Single White Female is an imperfect - but good - movie. Since its release in 1992, it's been imitated to death, which can make it "predictable" but I won't hold this erotic thriller's success against it.

After Allison (Bridget Fonda) breaks up with her fiancé and puts an ad asking for a roommate (Single White Female seeking professional roommate), she settles on Hedra “Hedy” Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Hedy becomes more than a roommate. She's a great friend. She goes above and beyond to help Allison by confronting her ex-fiancé when he refuses to leave her alone (Steven Weber plays Sam, the ex) and comforting her whenever things are tough. Unfortunately, this affection is hiding a dangerously unstable personality.

It’s hard to say exactly how much of this film is predictable. I’ve seen it all before but only in movies that came after Single White Female. At times it does everything you expect it to - but not always. The conclusion, for instance, subverts your expectations by doing something completely different. Certain elements unique to this film make it better than your run-of-the-mill killer roommate/stepfather/adopted sibling/godmother. For instance, the casting: both Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh have that plain girl look that makes them attractive (you get to see both of them naked, and often, as this is an erotic thriller) and as the movie progresses, you realize how similar they look. It isn’t immediately obvious, but as Hedy begins to change her wardrobe, her mannerisms, and hair… they almost become twins. You didn't see the resemblance right away, which adds a whole new level of creepiness. What will Allison do with this skill? Frame her? Take over her identity?

The picture also works as an erotic thriller. There’s even some stuff thrown in there for the ladies (assuming the idea of seeing Leigh and/or Fonda naked doesn’t appeal to you). It’s got moments to make you feel all icky about sex, but also some that will get you aroused. You may be able to foresee what's coming but when you think about it, that’s the case for most movies. Couples get together, villains get defeated, bombs get defused. This is another reason not to hold the "standard" elements of Single White Female against it. There are times where these could've been handled more elegantly. Overall, it’s pretty good, and even when you hit a rough patch, the actresses keep you watching.

I don’t want to make it sound like I am apologizing for Single White Female. It's worth a watch even if you've seen some of the many knockoffs (The Roommate) or other, eerily similar pictures (Fatal Attraction for example). It’s a good movie with some pleasant surprises, more than a few clever moments, compelling performances, and a great climax. That’s more than enough to recommend any film. (On DVD, August 24, 2015)