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Three at Once

  • 1986
  • 9m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
115
YOUR RATING
Gillian Anderson in Three at Once (1986)
ComedyFantasyShort

This black-and-white student short is a whimsical absurdist comedy about a happy-go-lucky girl (Anderson), a sardonic feminist, and a vain philosopher who meet at a party and enter a surreal... Read allThis black-and-white student short is a whimsical absurdist comedy about a happy-go-lucky girl (Anderson), a sardonic feminist, and a vain philosopher who meet at a party and enter a surreal world to see if they click together.This black-and-white student short is a whimsical absurdist comedy about a happy-go-lucky girl (Anderson), a sardonic feminist, and a vain philosopher who meet at a party and enter a surreal world to see if they click together.

  • Director
    • Mike Kuhn
  • Writer
    • Mike Kuhn
  • Stars
    • Gillian Anderson
    • Dan Barron
    • Nona Walters
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    115
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mike Kuhn
    • Writer
      • Mike Kuhn
    • Stars
      • Gillian Anderson
      • Dan Barron
      • Nona Walters
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

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    Top cast5

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    Gillian Anderson
    Gillian Anderson
    • Woman 1
    Dan Barron
    • Man
    Nona Walters
    • Woman 2
    Zoe Anderson
    • Child
    • (as Zowie Anderson)
    Ryan Koster
    • Child
    • Director
      • Mike Kuhn
    • Writer
      • Mike Kuhn
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    7.1115
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    Featured reviews

    7gunn-wrights

    I finally get the point (maybe MINOR spoilers at the end of review)

    Don't worry - I've clearly marked where the 'spoilers' are in my comment, and if you don't want to hear about the ending - it's well marked.

    NON-SPOILER: -Video can be found on YouTube-

    First, understanding the 3 main characters: ...1. Gillian Anderson (Woman1) - it was interesting to see such a younger version of her, even though this was a grainy black and white film. Her character gets excited about everything, one could almost say she was playing the ditsy blond. Not very smart, but fun to be around, and willing to do anything for Man1. This role was a stark contrast to her X-files character Scully, who is often level headed, speaks her mind, and not too easy excitable. ...2. (Woman2) was a raging feminist! Anything Man 1 had to say, she could find a way to turn it into some sort of misogynistic abuse of women. Even when Man1 asked Woman1 to get him a cigarette, Woman2 was upset by the fact that Woman1 would do it. Although Woman1 didn't mind. ...3. (Man1) was the oddest of the bunch. He seemed both interested in the ladies, while at the same time, pretending as if he didn't care if they were around. I think honestly he did care, even if he pretended not to show it. Once he was alone, he turned on the radio only to hear the voice Woman1, he turned on the TV where he found the voice and image of Woman2. Thus, he decides to call Woman1 - only to receive her voicemail. Maybe referring to 'you don't know what you had until it's gone'?



    ****Possible MINOR Spoilers Below (Just my assumptions on the ending)******



    I had to watch this several times, trying to understand what each character was about - when I realized, this ISN'T a story of EACH person. It's the story of JUST ONE PERSON! Hence the title, "Three at Once". I read somewhere in the bio that it was an analogy to Freud's id, ego, and superego - the theory that all 3 traits reside in each person. I think this Freudian suggestion may be very plausible, or simply some type of comparison of the 3 different parts of a person's psyche. The clarity comes only in the last few lines of dialogue, where Woman1 asks if they can all still be friends, and the other 2 at first scoff at the idea. Then seem to consider the possibility they could/should try to be friends. I believe it's all summed up in the final line:

    (Woman1): "We're not puppets, we're individual people. We're complex and unique. You're you and... (all 3 together): ...we're us"

    ~ Suggesting they are Three at Once and no matter how different the 3 personalities seem, every person needs them all to make you a well rounded person, even if they often seem at odds... get it?
    9scullyzel

    confusing little film

    it took me several viewings to understand what was going on in the piece, but with time came enlightenment - really quite a thought-provoking and slightly creepy film. the focus of the movie - which consists of many smaller scenes - is the meeting of three individuals at a party, and the strange interactions that take place between them. Gillian Anderson does, in my opinion, the best job out of the three actors; she's very tiny and cute, with a high voice and just a hint of an accent. the film stays with the viewer, somehow - the last scene is especially compelling.

    it was odd. I liked it.
    10angelskully

    incredibly young

    The image and sound quality are not very good, but I think it's an excellent short movie. It's amazing to see the great and wonderful Gillian Anderson in this black and white short movie, with a young and cute face, blond and short hair. It was her very first try in front of the camera, and I can say it : she succeed! Who could imagine she will be the great actress we all know now!

    We can hear her English accent, her tiny voice, and for sure, you will have a smile. It's a great performance here, even if the movie is old. It's a very original story about life who merits to have all your attention. we can see those 3 people talking to you as a ghosts... don't know. strange and thoughtfully in the same time.

    have to be seen.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Gillian Anderson's debut.
    • Quotes

      Woman 1: Well, maybe that's your problem. See, I thought we'd all get together and have a nice time, ya know, tell a few stories, have some laughs. Kinda like a picnic.

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    Details

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    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 9m
    • Color
      • Black and White

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