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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Street of Women remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for pre-Code era dramas where everyone is perfectly dressed but living in absolute misery, you’ll dig this. It’s not exactly high-octane, so skip it if you need constant movement. If you’re a fan of Kay Francis looking tired and elegant, you’re home.
The whole premise feels like it was written by someone who really, really enjoyed long conversations in dimly lit rooms. Our lead architect guy is miserable, which isn't shocking. He’s stuck in a marriage that’s basically just a hollow shell held together by the kid.
Then he meets Natalie, the dress designer. There’s a specific scene where they’re talking and the chemistry isn't exactly fire, but it’s polite in a way that feels heavy. It’s like they both know they’re doing something they shouldn't, but they’re too bored to stop.
Then the plot twist hits. The daughter—who we keep hearing is the only reason he stays—falls for Natalie’s brother. I let out an audible, 'Oh, you have to be kidding me' when that clicked into place. It’s a classic move, sure, but it turns the movie into a bit of a car crash you can't look away from.
The dialogue is snappy, even if it feels a little staged. There’s a moment where a character says something that’s clearly meant to be profound, but it just lands as sad. I think the movie knows it’s sad. It doesn't try to be anything else.
I couldn't help but think about how much more chaotic this would be than say, Ankles Preferred, which had a totally different energy. This one is all about the quiet, slow-burning dread of being trapped in your own life choices.
Some of the supporting cast are just sort of... there. Wandering through the frame. One guy in the background of the party scene looks like he’s trying to remember if he left his stove on at home. I spent way too long watching his face instead of the actual leads.
Is it perfect? Hardly. Does it get the job done for a rainy afternoon? Absolutely. It reminds me a bit of the domestic tension in House of Cards, though with way more fancy hats and fewer political scandals.
The ending isn't as explosive as you’d hope. It just kind of settles. It feels like the movie realized it ran out of ways to make these people suffer and just decided to let them go. I don't blame them.
IMDb 5
1915
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