An Unmarried Woman [Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray]

Director: Paul Mazursky Paul Mazursky

Overview

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 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.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/09/2020
UPC:	0715515244817
Original Release:	1978
Rating:	R
Source:	Criterion Collection
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	2:04:00
Sales rank:	10,428

Special Features

New 4k digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack; Audio Commentary from 2005 featuring Director Paul Mazursky and actor Jill Clayburgh; New interviews with actors Michael Murphy and Lisa Lucas; New interview with author Sam Wasson; Audio recording of Mazursky speaking at the American Film Institute in 1980; Trailer; Plus: An essay by critic Angelica Jade Bastien

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jill Clayburgh	Erica
Alan Bates	Saul
Michael Murphy	Martin
Cliff Gorman	Charlie
Pat Quinn	Sue
Kelly Bishop	Elaine
Lisa Lucas	Patti
Linda G. Miller	Jeannette
Andrew Duncan	Bob
Daniel Seltzer	Dr. Jacobs
Matthew Arkin	Phil
Penelope Russianoff	Tanya
Novella Nelson	Jean
Raymond J. Barry	Edward
Ivan Karp	Herb Rowan
Jill Eikenberry	Claire
Michael Tucker	Fred
Chico Martinez	Cabbie
Clint Chin	Chinese Waiter
Ken Chapin	Man at Bar
Tom Elios	Ice Vendor
Karen Ford	Executive Secretary
Alice J. Kane	Waitress
Paul Mazursky	Hal
Pamela Meunier	Hat Check Girl
Donna Perich	Sophie
Vincent Schiavelli	Man at Party
John Stravinsky	Bartender
Ultra Violet	Lady MacBeth
Bill Conti	Composer

Technical Credits

Paul Mazursky	Director,Producer
Tony Ray	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Jill Clayburgh made a big impact as the heroine of this 1970s examination of the liberation of a woman whose life seemed to be ruined by divorce. As in other films of the era, throwing off the shackles of marriage is just the first step in the protagonist's realization of her own self-worth. Director Paul Mazurksy is a fine delineator of characters, and in this detailed, beautifully acted film, he is determined to substitute all-too-human characters for Hollywood stereotypes. Disturbingly real and vivid, An Unmarried Woman is an iconic feminist film and was surprisingly popular at the box office; Clayburgh, the script by Mazursky, and the picture itself were all nominated for Oscars. The film's power is aided by Alan Bates's performance as Clayburgh's newfound, artistic love, even though that character also drew the lion's share of criticism, as an idealized solution to Erica's situation.

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