Barrie Youngfellow, Belita Moreno, Craig Richard Nelson
124 min
TLDR
One of the best films to capture that surreal feeling of dreaming.
What it's about
Somewhere in Southern California, three women live their days in a steady haze. One day, they begin exhibiting different personalities and exchanging personas.
The take
Robert Altman’s 3 Women begins normally—it follows the flirtatious Millie, the childlike Pinky, and the silent Willie, all of whom seem to represent different phases of womanhood. Their interactions are mundane but relatable, but then the film takes a turn for the surreal. Mysterious people show up. Personalities are exchanged. Questions are never resolved. As in a dream, the lack of logic in 3 Women makes sense: you follow the women and the strange things happening around them because it feels imperative and significant. This is the kind of film that will inspire endless debate and discussions once the credits roll in. Alternatively, it could leave you stunned, already trying to remember what just happened as if you’ve just woken up.
What stands out
The film's impressionistic murals and gorgeous pastel colors. What a vision.