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Jill Clayburgh, Alan Bates, Michael Murphy, Cliff Gorman, Pat Quinn ... see more see more... , Kelly Bishop , Lisa Lucas , Andrew Duncan , Daniel Seltzer , Matthew Arkin , Penelope Russianoff , Novella Nelson , Raymond J. Barry , Paul Mazursky , Ken Chapin , Clint Chin , Jill Eikenberry , Ivan Karp , Chico Martinez , Michael Tucker (I) , Ultra Violet , Vincent Schiavelli , Linda G. Miller

A New York wife learns about the satisfactions of single life in this landmark 1970s "woman's film." Unlike her dysfunctional friends, vibrant Erica (Jill Clayburgh) seems to have it all: a nice Upper... read more read more... East Side home, a well-adjusted teenage daughter (Lisa Lucas), a job at a Soho art gallery, and a loving husband, Martin (Michael Murphy). Erica falls apart, however, when Martin leaves her for a younger woman. Finally, at her female therapist's urging, Erica ventures out into the world of singlehood, finding solace in female bonding and even casual sex. As she adjusts to her new life, Erica realizes that she likes her freedom and independence. But when she falls in love with sensitive bearded artist Saul (Alan Bates), Erica must decide whether to turn down a lucrative job to spend the summer with her man in Vermont or forge ahead with her new existence. One of a group of new "women's pictures" made in the wake of post-1960s feminism, including Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and The Turning Point (1977), An Unmarried Woman updated the genre's concern with relationships and love by turning the heroine's unwedded status into a positive growth experience. The great female stars of the past like Joan Crawford and Bette Davis may be gone, as Erica and her friends mourn, but so is the all-consuming suffering of classical weepies, as writer/director Paul Mazursky ends the film on a note of reserved affirmation. While some critics (including feminists) complained that Saul was too much of a romantic fantasy, An Unmarried Woman was praised for Clayburgh's performance, and earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. A hit with 1978 audiences, An Unmarried Woman provoked viewer debate over Erica's final choice and its meaning for women. Either way, An Unmarried Woman astutely pointed to how far the new 1970s woman had come -- and how far she still needed to go. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Flixster Users

65% liked it

1,581 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

15 critics

R, 2 hr. 4 min.

Directed by: Paul Mazursky

Release Date: March 5, 1978

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DVD Release Date: January 10, 2006

Stats: 84 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (84)

  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    January 11, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Why is this great film so forgotten?
  • codyfranklin2
    January 2, 2009
    codyfranklin2
    Jill Clayburgh is outstanding as a woman who is suddenly divorced from her husband of 16 years. She struggles with her new freedom and has to learn to trust men again and how to live for herself. This movie has been done a hundred times since it release in 1978 so it loses some ... read moreof its original thunder. It still has some of originality and the acting is very good, especially Alan Bates.
  • jam233
    December 9, 2009
    jam233
    Back in 1978, a huge fuss was made about this film and Jill Clayburgh's performance. At the time I felt both were overrated, and now 30 years later, I still feel it is overrated. The film is good, as is Clayburgh. Just not great or one of the best of the year. It did tackle a sub... read moreject very much in the media at the time - divorce and how it effects all those involved. It's a bit pretentious.
  • ilikegoodmovies
    February 13, 2009
    ilikegoodmovies
    A slow moving, but relatively enjoyable film. I don't know I would have nominated it for Best Picture. Maybe in it's day. But I adore Jill Clayburgh and Kelly Bishop so I had to see it.
  • jmillerdp
    February 5, 2008
    jmillerdp
    Very good film from the 70's that made its mark, telling the story of a woman faced with sudden liberation. Well done on all accounts. The only exception I would make would be for Bill Conti's overbearing film score. Way too much when subtlety would have been the much better choice.
  • SansSouciBlogs1
    July 21, 2007
    SansSouciBlogs1
    American:
    When I first saw this movie I was awed by the power of the character's growth. As a marriage ends, the character spirals into despair and meets herself and finally finds joy.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
August 14, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Jill Clayburgh received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for playing an ordinary woman who goes through divorce and identity crisis in this quintessential New York movie that was championed by the fem... Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
February 27, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Presents a credible single scene. Full Review

David Nusair
January 30, 2006
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...the movie is ultimately undone by a thoroughly dated, anachronistic aura... Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 24, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Beautifully conveys one woman's journey from dependent security to independent self-confidence. Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 24, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Tries so hard to be so sensitive that it starts to unravel.

October 18, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
October 9, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Jake Euker
July 1, 2005
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

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