One Is a Lonely Number

"One is a Lonely Number" ("Two is a Happy Number") is a film about a woman's experience coming to terms with the end of her marriage. In many ways, it's like Dr. Kubler-Ross' Stages of Grief and you see the lady (Trish Van Devere) work through the stages until she finally arrives at accepting that it is, indeed, over. While this would NOT make for a fun or good date night film, it is mildly entertaining and a bit brave in addressing this sad topic. Sadly, up until the end it was a very good film (I might have scored it a 7 or 8) but the ending seemed a bit dumb and poorly handled. You could do better...you could do a lot worse. This sort of film has the term 'time-passer' written all over it and is a nice chance to see Van Devere acting without her husband and usual on-screen partner, George C. Scott.

Trish Van Devere made some "women's"movies back in the '70s. This one, One is a Lonely Number, from 1972, also stars Melvyn Douglas and Janet Leigh, directed by Mel Stuart.

Jane Elliot, Tracy Quartermaine on General Hospital, plays a friend of the main character. Though she remains a striking and glamorous woman today as well as a formidable actress, 53 years ago she was a beautiful young leading woman. It was so great to see her.

Van Devere plays Amy Brower, who can't accept that her husband (Paul Jenkins) has moved out and wants a divorce. She still loves him and wants him back. She is acutely aware of her loneliness, and shares this with a vegetable seller, Joseph (Douglas) whose wife has passed away.

Madge (Elliot) tries to get her to face some reality and introduces her to Gert (Janet Leigh), a tough lady who runs a group for divorcees. She introduces Any to an attorney; meanwhile, at a fundraiser, Madge sends some single men her way. One of the men is Howard (Monte Markham), who is persistent.

This is somewhat soapy, as Amy deals with the divorce attorney, the dating scene, and a job as a lifeguard, set up for her by a sleaze (Jonathan Goldsmith) who wants favors from her. She finally learns her husband was cheating on her and is finally ready to let go.

Good San Francisco location shooting and well produced (David Wolper) and directed. Seen now, it seems more like a TV movie. I've always been a fan of Van Devere; she's very likable.

Somebody's always saying goodbye, as an Anne Murray song goes. Here, Trish van Devere's husband has left her. After arguments and differences, the last straw was when she threw his copy of Milton out the window of their New York apartment. Being alone was the last thing she expected to be after her four years with James, but now she's alone. Of course, she's got girlfriends (like Jane Elliott) who want to hook her up, but she's so depressed and in shock. Oh, and yeah, she needs a job now. The employment place maybe has something, if she's nice to him. But he's a creep. There's the old man who runs the grocery store, whose wife died a few years ago. He's nice to talk to, played by Melvyn Douglas. She takes a job as a lifeguard, of all things! Between all her highs and lows and meeting a possible suitor in Monte Markham, she tries to find her independent soul. While the film does reflect the loneliness and despondency of her situation, it does not wallow in it and therefore manages to entertain the viewer while relating to her pain. The supporting cast is very good, but the film belong to Ms. Van Devere. Watch "One is a Lonely Number" and learn that you need not feel weak and dependent on another, and that as one you can be strong.

Some movies present such basic, utterly simple storylines, that the only thing that can actually save them from turning into mediocre flicks is how they are executed. And that's the case of Rebecca Morris' 'One Is A Lonely Number'. It's the simple tale of a recently divorced woman, Aimee, who slowly discovers how to get along with her life, growing through pain, loss, heartache and the dealing of loneliness. If you think it's familiar, you're right. The same subject has been brought up oh so many times throughout the last three decades - mostly on campy tearjerkers - but they can't be compared with this one.

Trish Van Devere ~ Day Of The Dolphin, etc... ~ surrenders completely to her role, and gives the performance of a life time. Melvyn Douglas... well, what can I say about him?

Plus, bits from a very sarcastic, cynical Janet Leigh, fresh from such flops as 'Hello Down There'.

It's all delivered to you from a gentle, bittersweet point of view. The pacing is perfect, for it gives the film a reality touch. The music... well, four words for you... Michel Legrand... Bossa Nova.

And some scenes deserve special attention... Trish's reaction to King Lear, and sobbing on Douglas' shoulders. Trish's seduction of Monte Markham and finally... the last scene...

Have a box of Kleenex handy. Do yourself that favor... :)

This is the story of Aimee Brower, a 28 year old woman who just recently divorced her husband. The movie takes us on what Aimee goes through trying to make some sense out of her newly found life, realizing that after all you can live by yourself.

What I find interesting about the movie is that we get to see the female point-of-view of divorce on the early 70s, when women weren't expected to have a career of their own or something else besides being married.