Sex and the Single Girl

Sex and the Single Girl is a romantic comedy movie that was released in 1964. Directed by Richard Quine and starring Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, and Natalie Wood, the movie is based on the best-selling book written by Helen Gurley Brown.

The story of this movie revolves around the life of Helen Gurley Brown, a young woman who is the author of a sex-advice column for a popular magazine, and one of her most ardent critics, Bob Weston, a writer for a rival publication. Bob goes undercover and poses as a psychologist in order to study Helen, convinced that she’s a fraud and that her advice is leading women astray. However, things get complicated when Bob finds out that Helen is living with her boyfriend, a psychiatrist named Dr. Teddy Barrett, and he gets involved with her secretary, Sylvia.

The movie is set in New York City and depicts a world of smart, successful, and confident women who are looking for love and sexual fulfillment. Helen’s advice column tackles a variety of topics related to love, sex, and relationships, and she proves to be an expert on all of them. However, her own love life is complicated and she finds herself torn between two men – Dr. Barrett, who wants to marry her, and Bob, who is attracted to her but wants to expose her as a fraud.

One of the most interesting things about this movie is its portrayal of gender roles and sexual politics in the 1960s. At a time when women were starting to assert their independence and demand equality, Helen Gurley Brown was a controversial figure who championed the idea that women could be successful and happy without getting married and having children. Her advice was often considered scandalous and even dangerous, but it also resonated with many women who were looking for a different kind of life than the one their mothers and grandmothers had lived.

Sex and the Single Girl is also notable for its strong performances by the cast. Lauren Bacall brings her signature mix of intelligence, wit, and sex appeal to her portrayal of Helen Gurley Brown, making her both likable and complex. Tony Curtis is charming as the handsome and witty Bob Weston, and Natalie Wood is delightful as Sylvia, Helen’s adoring and loyal secretary. The chemistry between the three leads is palpable, making for some of the movie’s most memorable scenes.

Overall, Sex and the Single Girl is a fun and engaging movie that offers a window into the social and sexual mores of its time. While some of its themes may seem dated today, it remains a classic example of the romantic comedy genre and a testament to the enduring appeal of Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis, and Natalie Wood.