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An Unmarried Woman

Play trailer Poster for An Unmarried Woman R 1978 2h 5m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
An attractive and well-to-do New Yorker, Erica Benton (Jill Clayburgh), finds her comfortable existence upended when her husband, Martin (Michael Murphy), ends their marriage and takes up with a younger woman. Hurt and angered by her husband's betrayal, Erica slowly begins to reevaluate her life and explore her newfound freedom. Eventually, she starts a relationship with an English artist named Saul (Alan Bates), but is wary of repeating past mistakes.
An Unmarried Woman

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Jill Clayburgh is wondrous as a woman who loses her marriage -- only to find herself -- in this acutely observed and lived-in portrait of New York City life.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans New Statesman 10/07/2020
Clayburgh is luminous as Erica, wounded and stumbling, yet somehow graceful. Go to Full Review Bob Thomas Associated Press 07/08/2019
An Unmarried Woman explores the emotional turmoil of an abandoned wife with rare wit and perception. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 06/15/2018
4/4
Clayburgh takes chances in this movie. She's out on an emotional limb. She's letting us see and experience things that many actresses simply couldn't reveal. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Apr 6
5/5
‘…complete with an uplifting Bill Conti score, An Unmarried Woman is a Rocky story for women…a ground-breaking film about a woman’s search to find herself…’ Go to Full Review Chase Burns The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 01/20/2022
Clayburgh is dazzlingly frank. She carries a poker face when around the film's men. All her largest emotions are kept for herself. It's thrilling. I miss her. Go to Full Review Jill Nicholls Spare Rib 09/22/2021
It's just another of those films made by a man with women in mind. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alan W. @rwebber111 Dec 23 One of the best 70s film. A joy to watch Clayburgh. See more alan g @agenser May 26 Michael Murphy playing his usual cowardly, reprehensible self. Jill Clayborn is ok. Alan Bates playing his usual cad role. Predictable. See more barbara l @RT85800394 04/01/2023 Love this movie. Wish I could see it again. Very realistic honest account of a woman who loses her marriage and finds herself again. See more Isla E @RT30662685 02/25/2023 An Unmarried Woman should have been unseen by my tender eyes. However I have to say it was a really good movie even for a child under 11. See more 07/15/2022 In 2022 this film seems a tad dated. However, being a "70s person," I feel it captures the era in an almost time capsule-like approach. The setting, the music, and the "women vs. status quo" storyline are very realistic for 1978. Personally, I think Jill Clayburgh deserved the Oscar for Best Actress. See more 02/06/2021 Love this film. Jill Clayburgh is brilliant is this touching, funny, nuanced exploration of a film by Paul Mazursky. This film was right on time when it came out, and still holds up today. A must see See more Read all reviews
An Unmarried Woman

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Mazursky

Director

Jill Clayburgh

Erica

Alan Bates

Saul

Michael Murphy

Martin

Cliff Gorman

Charlie

Patricia Quinn

Sue

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An Unmarried Woman

An Unmarried Woman (1978) An Unmarried Woman (1978) An Unmarried Woman (1978) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An attractive and well-to-do New Yorker, Erica Benton (Jill Clayburgh), finds her comfortable existence upended when her husband, Martin (Michael Murphy), ends their marriage and takes up with a younger woman. Hurt and angered by her husband's betrayal, Erica slowly begins to reevaluate her life and explore her newfound freedom. Eventually, she starts a relationship with an English artist named Saul (Alan Bates), but is wary of repeating past mistakes.
Director
Paul Mazursky
Producer
Paul Mazursky, Anthony Ray
Screenwriter
Paul Mazursky
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 5, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 5, 2016
Runtime
2h 5m