Themes: Women's Friendship, Single Life, Looking For Love
Main Cast: Thomas McNallan, Trish VanDevere, Monte Markham, Janet Leigh, Melvyn Douglas, Jane Elliot
Release Year: 1972
Country: US
Run Time: 97 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
A woman struggles to rebuild her life after her husband leaves her in this drama. Amy Brower (Trish VanDevere) is a 27-year-old woman who thinks that her marriage to James (Paul Jenkins), a college professor, is a happy one until he unexpectedly files for divorce after falling for one of his students. On her own for the first time in her life, Amy is introduced by her best friend Madge (Jane Elliot) to a support group for divorced women, but the bitterness of Gert (Janet Leigh), the group's leader, doesn't make her feel much better; her search for a career proves just as unsatisfying. Amy finds friendship and solace with Joseph Provo (Melvyn Douglas), an elderly man whose wife of 40 years recently passed on and is also dealing with loneliness, and she dips her toes back into dating when she meets Howard Carpenter (Monte Markham) at an art gallery, and he shows a keen interest in her, though he seems more interested in her body than her mind. Trish VanDevere's performance earned her a Best Actress nomination at the 1973 Golden Globe Awards. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Although fairly powerful when originally released, One Is a Lonely Number seems more than a bit dated when seen today. An example of 1970s-era "issue-oriented" filmmaking, One comes across as a trifle too manipulative and melodramatic, although there are times when the screenwriter offers some genuinely perceptive or insightful comments, and, in general, the dialogue has some snap and life to it. Mel Stuart's direction tries too hard, but when he lets himself relax, he creates some lovely, "real" moments. What makes One worthwhile, however, is Trish Van Devere's beautifully calibrated performance. Looking absolutely stunning, the actress throws herself into the part, wringing every last bit of truth from the screenplay. She projects a tremendous warmth and vulnerability that is balanced by an appealing determination. Van Devere also displays a palpable sensuality, and her seduction of and romance with Monte Markham are quietly erotic. Markham is not up to his co-star's level, but she does get very fine support from a cynical, sarcastic Janet Leigh, a sympathetic Melvyn Douglas, and a winning Jane Elliot. On the whole, One falls short of the goals it sets for itself, but it makes a game attempt -- and Van Devere is well worth the price of admission. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Jonathan Lippe - Sherman Cooke; Kim Allen - Ronnie Porter; Maurice Argent - Pool Manager; Scott Beach - Frawley King; Paul Jenkins - James Brower; Dudley Knight - King Lear; Henry Leff - Arnold Holzgang; Kathleen Quinlan; Joe Spano - Earl of Kent; Morgan Upton - Earl of Gloucester; Christopher Brooks - Marvin Friedlander; Mark Bramhall - Morgue Attendant; Peter Fitzsimmons - Marvin Friedlander; Thomas McNallan - Hardware Clerk
Credit
Walter M. Simonds - Art Director, Donald C. Klune - First Assistant Director, Mel Stuart - Director, David Saxon - Editor, Michel Legrand - Composer (Music Score), Michel Legrand - Musical Direction/Supervision, Michel Hugo - Cinematographer, David L. Wolper - Producer, Stan Margulies - Producer, George P. Gaines - Set Designer, Bud Alper - Sound/Sound Designer, Hal Watkins - Sound/Sound Designer, David Seltzer - Screenwriter, Rebecca Morris - Short Story Author
