Allie Jones, played by Bridget Fonda, breaks up with her boyfriend, Sam Rawson, played by Steven Weber, after finding out he was cheating on her with his ex-wife.  

Shortly after he leaves their shared apartment, Jones puts up an ad looking for a roommate. After meeting multiple candidates, she settles on Hedy Carlson, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. 

Eventually, Jones gets back together with Rawson, and Carlson gets jealous and starts impersonating Jones. 

The acting was not spectacular. It was about average, but it was good for this movie. The acting was not bad, but it was so mellow that it made the movie feel realistic.  

It was not over-saturated, but it fit the tone of the film. Everything in the film was so bland. The color scheme, cinematography, base in the characters tone, just seemed to match so well.  

The story line of the movie is what really makes it what it is.  

The progression of Leigh’s character was steady. It was a natural development, for this scenario and nothing really felt rushed.  

Carlson starts off as a supportive roommate, but as the movie continues, everything adds up together well and when she reaches her peak of psycho, it just meshes well.  

Also, Carlson’s next move is unpredictable. When she got her hair dyed to match Fonda’s, it was an imperative turning point. The deaths at the end were unanticipated, which could be seen as both positive and negative.  

It adds to the unpredictable nature of Leigh’s character, but then there was no violence anywhere else in the movie, so it could also be seen as random. 

Leigh played a great role as the antagonist and was a great attribute.  

While the story line made the movie what it is, there is nothing else that really stood out. As stated previously, the movie’s blandness was not bad, but nothing else was that great about it.  

The nudity was unnecessary and there was a large amount of it.   

It is understandable how it was a huge psychological film at the time of its release, and it still is notable in the psychological/thriller genre, but since there are more intense thrillers, it does not hold the same value, as it once may have.  

Also, this is one of if not the most memorable film of Leigh’s films, so it is also noteworthy for that purpose.  

This movie was not bad, but it was not standout, if it was watched today. In simple terms, it was an above average film. 

I rate this film 3/5.  

Cam’ron Hardy is a sophomore journalism major. He can be reached at [email protected] or 217-581-2812.