'Single Black Female' will have you seeing double

Hollywood has recycled the cliche' of the crazed stalker and obsessed, desperately covetous woman. The 1992 psychological thriller "Single White Female" (SWF) starring Jennifer Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh is a classic example of this. Another example will air on Lifetime at 8 PM on February 5, "Single Black Female (SBF)." If you are guessing that Lifetime's swing at this theme renders the "Black version" of SWF, you are only partially right. Starring Amber Riley and Raven Goodwin, SBF is 10% like the original and 90% its own in that the two leads are like doppelgangers, except it takes a while for the lead character to realize she is being copied. Goodwin's character (Monica) is a TV talk show host. Riley's character is hired as her assistant. When they connect outside of work, Riley's character (Simone) becomes possessive and attempts to take over her boss's entire life. The cultural difference also distinguish SBF from SWF. Two full-sized Black women co-starring in a television movie that normalizes their sensuality mainly makes the movie stand out. The sight of leading black women in this capacity is rare. Their striking resemblance is woven into the story and the surprising reason for it is saved for the tragic climax. The sex and horror scenes in "Single Black Female" may not be suited for children.

SYNOPSIS:

Reeling from the death of her beloved father and a difficult breakup, Monica (Raven Goodwin), is ready to move forward with her life as she tries to land the new hosting job for an afternoon talk show. When she hires a new assistant, Simone (Amber Riley), the two quickly become close friends as Simone moves in next door and completely immerses herself in Monica’s life. But underneath her sweet exterior, Simone harbors a dark secret and as time goes on cracks in her façade begin to appear. Monica decides to sever ties once and for all with Simone, but Simone has other plans and is determined to take over Monica’s life for good. K. Michelle also stars.