tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post3393706638585491132..comments2024-03-26T05:01:57.793-07:00Comments on DREAMS ARE WHAT LE CINEMA IS FOR...: SINGLE WHITE FEMALE 1992Ken Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-68687949085444188472020-11-16T21:58:53.446-08:002020-11-16T21:58:53.446-08:00Always my pleasure to contribute! And good point ...Always my pleasure to contribute! And good point comparing Leigh with Huppert. Huppert also started quite young and is still going strong to this day - and she also, like Leigh, is willing to play various and daring roles. Mark R. Y.https://markrussyoung.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-32898354708721552892020-11-16T20:45:34.851-08:002020-11-16T20:45:34.851-08:00Hello, Mark
I had to take a quick look at the endi...Hello, Mark<br />I had to take a quick look at the ending oft SWF to recall what you referenced in your excellent observation. It was great to see it again with your idea of an anticipated twist ending in my head, for the possibility never occurred to me before. <br />It would have been a colossal cheat, what with having seen Fonda vanquish Leigh a moment before, but I like imagining how it would have played. As FATAL ATTRACTION proved, people love a good twist, even when it doesn't always make the most narrative sense.<br />I, too, feel the film falls short of becoming the kind of iconic thriller it could have given the talent on hand, but it remains very enjoyable and watchable as hell. In fact, looking at the ending whetted my appetite for seeing the entire movie again.<br />And I'm with you in finding both Fonda and Leigh such strong and underappreciated talents. Fonda's early retirement (I think due to a near fatal auto accident) is a huge loss, and Leigh has almost been an America Isabelle Huppert with her choice of quirky roles, but with little of Huppert's acclaim. <br />Thank you again for checking out some of these older posts and taking the time to contribute your own very worthwhile observations to the blog discussion.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-87874067835669883842020-11-16T17:16:39.740-08:002020-11-16T17:16:39.740-08:00Hi Ken,
I got around to watching SWF this past s...Hi Ken, <br /><br />I got around to watching SWF this past spring when I was on a late 1980s-early 1990s erotic-and-otherwise thriller bender. Not many of these films have resonance, but there were lots of slick camera set-ups, fun performances, and good, cheap thrills to be enjoyed. After seeing it, I wrote on a message board that I frequent:<br /><br />"Speaking of thrillers that disappoint by not providing a final twist at the end, this "Fill-in-the-blank from hell" (roommate, in this case) suspense work well-directed by Barbet Schroeder has an end scene staged to make the viewer think that the narrating person with her back to us will turn around to reveal it's not who we thought it was - but that doesn't happen. Odd. Was it originally so but poor test screenings caused the ending to be changed? Or is it meant to be a provocative ambiguity to cause debates? <br /><br />Anyway, I was happy to finally see this - especially as it stars two of my favorite actresses. I'm fonda both of them, so either one could be my roommate indefinite-leigh."<br /><br />Despite my feeling that SWF fell short of a true classic, I had a worthwhile viewing of it, no doubt curled up in my big chair late at night, and your essay on it here enhanced my post-watch readings about the movie.<br /><br />And I wasn't being silly with my wordplay on the two actresses last names in that quote: They are definitely among the top American actresses who emerged in the 1980s and still remain not fully appreciated. Bridget Fonda (who, by the way, is the ONLY person in "Singles" who is believable as a Seattlite) has been absent from the screen for nearly two decades and, it says so much about the vapidity of the Oscars that the magnificent Jennifer Jason Leigh has only one lousy nomination after 40 (!) years of stellar film work. Mark R.Y.https://markrussyoung.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-20934680990350574302018-04-02T10:03:20.102-07:002018-04-02T10:03:20.102-07:00Hi Chris!
Nice to hear you enjoy this film too. It...Hi Chris!<br />Nice to hear you enjoy this film too. It's really so enjoyable, and one of those rare films that stands up whether one sees it as a slightly camp genre thriller, or takes it seriously as melodrama. Something about its theme and the performances just carries the film along and it never drags. And indeed, it does hold up.<br />I always like it when films that reflect a natural comfortableness with nudity don't show undue modesty with the male characters (as so often happens), so Weber's nude scene is welcome on several fronts.<br />I HAVE seen THE TEMP, but in spite of knowing I liked it, it's one of those films I only saw once and now can't remember a single scene from it. Maybe it's time for a revisit!<br />Happy belated Easter, Chris! And thanks for always stopping by and giving these posts a read. We've seen so many of the same films and so frequently respond to them similarly. Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-46092229613941566412018-03-30T12:32:13.291-07:002018-03-30T12:32:13.291-07:00I meant The Temp, of course, not Tempo. My typing ...I meant The Temp, of course, not Tempo. My typing on these devices is getting worse and worse!angelman66https://www.blogger.com/profile/16471674180789592940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-61096243559756042962018-03-30T12:31:09.995-07:002018-03-30T12:31:09.995-07:00Hi Ken, I'm delighted that you enjoy this film...Hi Ken, I'm delighted that you enjoy this film as much as I do. It is so much fun, a hoot! It is my favorite performance for both Fonda and the versatile Jennifer Jason Leigh. I remember getting chills the first time I saw the scene where Leigh transforms herself so uncannily into Fonda when she really looks absolutely nothing like her. <br /><br />Bonuses: Steven Weber provides some nice (disrobed) eye candy, and I remember being pleased that there was a gay confidante/neighbor character in the film as well. Very hip and up to date for the time. <br /><br />Watched this again very recently and it toally holds up. Absorbing, entertaining "well-made play" with the proper shock and double twist at the end, Jagged Edge style!<br /><br />Another one in a similar vein though not NEARLY as good comes to mind, only because Mr. Timothy Hutton stars...have you seen The Tempo, with Hutton, Lara Flynn Boyle and Faye Dunaway? Would make a very overwrought double feature with SWF (and Weber is in both films!).<br /><br />Cheers, Ken, and a happy Bunny Day to you!<br />-Chrisangelman66https://www.blogger.com/profile/16471674180789592940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-75640537873300125162018-03-17T14:09:37.062-07:002018-03-17T14:09:37.062-07:00Hi Mangrove
Yes, back in my film school days Schro...Hi Mangrove<br />Yes, back in my film school days Schroeder was quite revered (his The Valley had just been released). Indeed, one of the reasons I was so keen on seeing this was due to the anomaly factor of his participation.<br />Perhaps because he wasn't well known outside of art film circles, there was precious little I recall (or was even able to research) regarding how this production came about and what it augured for the direction his career was taking.<br />I'm not overly fond of Schroeder's other thrillers, which are rather mainstream. I thought initially that he might be like Michael Haneke, creating subversive and disturbing takes on the genre film. <br />Maybe some readers have some behind-the-scenes info on this film. Even your perspective is the first I've heard of how French critics responded to his unexpected career course. Sometimes when movies are not very visible in the DVD marketplace few film journalists write about them.<br />I've read about his new documentary, and I'm intrigued, but right now living the daily trauma of fascism kind of undercuts my ability to want to delve into it in my leisure hours. Thanks for commenting Mangrove, and maybe you'll spark someone contributing to this section some information about the making of this, one of my favorite thrillers.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-62135663227679016652018-03-16T05:16:27.872-07:002018-03-16T05:16:27.872-07:00At the time this was made, Schroeder was mostly kn...At the time this was made, Schroeder was mostly known here in France for being one of the most prominent producers of New Wave films and a director of documentaries or quasi-documentaries (I recommend his latest, The Venerable W. about fascism - how timely he always is).<br /><br />It was a big shock to French critiques that he would embrace such a low-brow genre (and for a long time too going on)! They gingerly accepted this new branch in his career, because it was so well-made. I regret you not discussing the behind-the-scenes going-ons for once, because you're always so insightful. <br /><br />Seeing a well respected figure of French cinema wallowing in such 'filth' (this didn't have the True Crime sheen of respectability that Reversal of Fortune had) sure was spectacular on this side of the Atlantic.mangrovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08940525631457357126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-55561198516150554632018-03-15T10:43:37.328-07:002018-03-15T10:43:37.328-07:00Thank you so much, Joe! And yes, I'm sorta mis...Thank you so much, Joe! And yes, I'm sorta missing Fonda, too. After watching this I revisited 1998's "A Simple Plan" and she is like a small-town Lady Macbeth in that one. A marvelous screen presence.Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-60470881139777836622018-03-13T10:29:28.826-07:002018-03-13T10:29:28.826-07:00Wonderful analysis that made me realize how much I...Wonderful analysis that made me realize how much I've missed Bridget Fonda's presence in movies.Joe Meyershttps://blog.ctnews.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-59302923017580479482018-03-11T13:41:03.848-07:002018-03-11T13:41:03.848-07:00Hello Callie
You're right about SWF being one ...Hello Callie<br />You're right about SWF being one of those films that has entered the collective film consciousness to the degree that almost anyone can mention it and get nods of recognition. Yet, at the same time its one of those movies that doesn't seem to have the same lingering kind of DVD afterlife and presence as some films, perhaps accounting for your supervisor's lack of familiarity with it.<br />Before the genre ran itself into the ground, I was very much into the high-concept thriller that was so prevalent in the 90s, this one remaining a favorite for execution and cast.<br />Fonda retired after suffering an auto accident and marrying composer Danny Elfman. A big loss, i think, but sometimes you look at the kind of roles being offered to actresses and you think at least she spared herself a late career of girlfriend and wife roles.<br />Jennifer Jason Leigh is almost as close as we Americans have to an Isabelle Huppert, she takes on so many unusual roles.<br />I've never seen the film JEFFREY, so I only know Weber from the awful (for me) TV show WINGS. And indeed the cast is very good. A great many times when I see a film shot in New York, I'm always made aware of the wealth of theater-trained actors allowed access to supporting roles in movies. It might just be my imagination but they just seem to look more "real" than their Hollywood counterparts (who look like soap opera mannequins) and are able to do so much with minimal screen time. <br />Thanks for taking note of how my movie tastes slide all over the board here, it's a tad intentional that I highlight a spectrum of genres (to a degree, I think I'm yet to write a bout a sports film or war film), a throwback to my days of reading Pauline Kael, who could enjoy a good trash film and a quality art film with equal ease. Thanks very much for reading and commenting!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-39690978083855807082018-03-10T21:11:33.275-08:002018-03-10T21:11:33.275-08:00I just recently mentioned this movie to my supervi...I just recently mentioned this movie to my supervisor at work. She was describing a ”friend” she’s had since high school who instantly brought Hedy to my mind. I was surprised she hadn’t heard of SWF, since I’ve always thought it highly integrated into the 1990s movie lexicon, and she is more aware of movies than a regular Jane.<br /><br />After that preamble I must confess that I don’t think I’ve ever seen SWF all the way through. I’ve witnessed it in increments, and the ending has seeped into my memory, while I’m unaware<br />of witnessing what lead up to it. The cast is just so good – what ever happened to Bridget Fonda? Such a 90’s actress if there ever was one. The first time I came upon her was when a friend of mine told me I looked like her. It’s a pretty far fetched comparison, but I perked up to her after that, and in all honesty would’ve probably scrapped her from my memory by now had I not been compared to her. When it comes to the rest of the cast, Jennifer Jason Leigh is just such a marvel every single time. Before you mentioned it, I hadn’t even realized how often she indeed plays sex workers! Steven Weber has a really interesting face, but he’ll always be Jeffrey from the 1995 movie to me. Haven’t seen much of him either after the 90’s. Peter Friedman on the other hand keeps popping up here and there. I’ve always felt like he has a slightly sinister presence, but by playing against that presence he creates interesting and ambiguous characters even in bit parts.<br /><br />I love how you constantly surprise me with your movie choices! I wouldn’t have thought this was your cup of tea, but the variety of movies on which you muse continues to be amazing. Bravo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-22018547036278083872018-03-09T06:59:29.878-08:002018-03-09T06:59:29.878-08:00Thanks, Poseidon!
The '90s was such a boom era...Thanks, Poseidon!<br />The '90s was such a boom era for thrillers, most of them blur in my mind along with their often sound-alike titles. This was one of my favorite of the post-FATAL ATTRACTION saturation thrillers because it played by the genre rules yet still managed to be smart and sensitively played.<br />Thanks for expressing an interest in my thoughts on GET OUT. It really was one of those films that spoke to me specifically due to the circumstances of my upbringing. Unlike many, I found very little of the film to be funny even in a black comedy way. It SO spoke to so many things I've experienced and feel, it was a pure, relatable horror story through and through. A really ingenious concept. I want to write about it, but I think I have to give it some time, otherwise I'll just wind up repeating what's said in the DVD commentary.<br />Good hearing from you, and as always, thanks for reading! Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2627032459273165000.post-42314934743050788932018-03-08T08:59:49.445-08:002018-03-08T08:59:49.445-08:00This was a very interesting read. I know I saw thi...This was a very interesting read. I know I saw this when it was released (I flocked to every mainstream thriller, erotic or otherwise, at that time), but I don't recall if I ever revisited again. I'm inclined to say no. <br /><br />Reading your remarks about being a sort of fish out of water and searching for your identity and "self" made me curious to know what your perspective/take was on "Get Out." I'd be interested to see you do a profile on that one if it spoke to you at all. (I love your movie tributes, but I also always appreciate your personal connections to the subject matter of them.)<br /><br />I'll have to give this another look with older eyes when it comes my way. Thanks!Poseidon3https://www.blogger.com/profile/10465785002285422594noreply@blogger.com