The Man Who Loved Women

The Man Who Loved Women

Year: 1983

Runtime: 110 mins

Language: English

Director: Blake Edwards

RomanceDramaComedy

Tormented by his inability to decide which woman truly holds his heart, the flamboyant sculptor spirals into madness. Desperate for relief, he turns to a psychiatrist who endeavors to free him from his relentless obsession with women, forcing him to confront his compulsive desires.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Man Who Loved Women (1983)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Man Who Loved Women (1983). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1980s

Set in the early 1980s, the story sits in a era of conspicuous wealth, social excess, and evolving attitudes toward sexuality. Therapy and psychoanalytic talk-box culture frame the characters' motivations. The period's opulence contrasts with the characters' emotional hunger and ultimate disillusionment.

Location

Houston, Texas

The film unfolds primarily in Houston, a major Texas city known for its wealth and cosmopolitan flair. The setting shifts from the sculptor's studio to upscale penthouses, busy streets, and social venues that map a world of luxury and appetite. The city's weather and nightlife provide a moody backdrop for David's romantic pursuits and therapy sessions.

🌆 Urban setting 💼 Wealthy social circles 🗺️ Cityscape

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:03

Main Characters – The Man Who Loved Women (1983)

Meet the key characters of The Man Who Loved Women (1983), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

David Fowler

A successful sculptor whose prowess and charm fuel a long history of romantic entanglements. He pursues women with a mix of charm and entitlement, seeking validation as much as companionship. His pattern of sexual conquest masks creative insecurity and emotional fragility, culminating in a tragic decision.

🎭 Drama 💔 Romance 🔎 Voyeurism

Marianna Solari

David's psychiatrist who guides his therapy and probes the roots of his compulsive behavior. She is perceptive and professional but becomes entangled emotionally as their sessions blur boundaries. Her own life and choices mirror the tension between healing and personal desire.

🎭 Drama 🧠 Psychology 💬 Therapy

Louise Carr

Wife of Texas millionaire Roy Carr, she initiates an affair with David in search of excitement and escape from her marriage. Luxurious and poised, she hides vulnerability behind a confident veneer. Her affair ignites a cascade of consequences for herself, Roy, and David.

🎭 Drama 💔 Romance 🕊️ Infidelity

Roy Carr

A wealthy Texas magnate whose marriage to Louise frames a high-society backdrop. He is astute and protective, quickly unraveling when he discovers the affair, which pushes the plot toward betrayal and danger.

🎭 Drama 💼 Wealth 🔥 Conflict

Agnes Chapman

A woman from David's past whose presence reappears in later acts, highlighting how his sexual history is connected to his present relationships. She becomes a catalyst for introspection and remorse.

🎭 Drama 💔 Memory 🔁 Return

Nancy

A prostitute whom David encounters; their encounter delves into transactional intimacy and the line between care and commodification. This memory shapes his attitude toward relationships.

🎭 Drama 💸 Transactional 🗝️ Past

Darla

Another of David's early encounters, representing the casual sexual history that informs his present choices. The memory emphasizes a pattern of seeking validation in physical connections.

🎭 Drama 💔 Past 🌗 Memory

Courtney Wade

A brunette affair that adds to David's string of romantically intense but unstable relationships. She serves as another data point in his emotional map, rather than a stabilizing partner.

🎭 Drama 💔 Affair 🔎 Pursuit

Janet Wainwright

A woman David meets during the Christmas shopping season who briefly becomes part of his romantic orbit. Her appearance extends the pattern of empty, unfulfilling connections.

🎭 Drama 💔 Holiday 🧭 Chance

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:03

Major Themes – The Man Who Loved Women (1983)

Explore the central themes of The Man Who Loved Women (1983), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Romance Obsession

David treats romantic partners as objects to conquer rather than people with autonomy. His compulsive pursuit of women masks a deep loneliness and creative block, leading to temporary highs followed by emptiness. The film traces how obsession corrodes intimacy and fuels a cycle of heartbreak.

🔎 Voyeurism & Control

David's stalking and fixation reveal a controlling gaze that borders on intrusion. The narrative questions where desire ends and dominance begins, as public spaces become stages for pursuit. This dynamic drains the potential for genuine connection and leaves pain in its wake.

🧠 Therapy & Self-Discovery

Therapy sessions act as a mirror, exposing David's tangled past and the sources of his fear of commitment. The doctors' analyses frame his actions while spotlighting the tension between professional distance and personal fascination. The arc suggests that self-understanding alone cannot redeem a consumer of affection without consent.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:03

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The Man Who Loved Women Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Man Who Loved Women, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Man Who Loved Women Summary

The Man Who Loved Women Timeline

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The Man Who Loved Women Timeline

More About The Man Who Loved Women

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