Overview
A woman's journey of self-discovery unfolds in the wake of heartbreak and newfound independence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- intimate
- observational
- reflective evening
- women's film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an acutely observed, lived-in New York portrait elevated by Jill Clayburgh's extraordinary performance and psychologically perceptive writing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Erica revises her understanding of herself after her husband leaves, refusing to remain an extension of his identity.
The film focuses on Erica's everyday adjustment, friendships, dating, work, and changing opinions with an acutely observed urban texture.
Erica resists abandoning her independence for Saul even when he expects love to require total submission.
Art galleries, friendships, jogging, psychiatry, and dating circulate through a densely inhabited New York City milieu.
Films like An Unmarried Woman, and why
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
observational new york relationship drama centered on female self-discovery and emotional independence
An Unmarried Woman
intimate feminist drama about rebuilding identity after a marriage ends, with strong lead performance
Starting Over
witty, emotionally candid portrait of a woman negotiating romance, autonomy, and contemporary urban life
Husbands and Wives
new hollywood character study blending comedy and drama around changing gender expectations and romantic choices
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Mazursky
- Release Date
- 1978-05-24
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (86)
Cast
- Jill Clayburgh
- Alan Bates
- Michael Murphy
- Cliff Gorman
- Kelly Bishop
- Lisa Lucas
- Linda Miller
- Patricia Quinn
- Andrew Duncan
- Daniel Seltzer
Common questions
- What is An Unmarried Woman about?
- After her husband abruptly leaves, a New York woman transforms heartbreak into a hard-won claim on independence.
- What is An Unmarried Woman like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of An Unmarried Woman as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is An Unmarried Woman violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in An Unmarried Woman.
- What did critics think of An Unmarried Woman?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an acutely observed, lived-in New York portrait elevated by Jill Clayburgh's extraordinary performance and psychologically perceptive writing.
- Which films are like An Unmarried Woman?
- Films with a similar feel include Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, An Unmarried Woman, Starting Over, and Husbands and Wives.
- How long is An Unmarried Woman?
- An Unmarried Woman runs 124 minutes.
