“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”, 2017
Director: Angela Robinson
This biographical drama delves into the life of William Moulton Marston, the psychologist who created Wonder Woman, exploring his polyamorous relationship with his wife and their mutual partner. The film highlights how their unconventional relationship inspired the iconic superheroine.
Starring: Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, Bella Heathcote, Connie Britton, Monica Giordano, JJ Feild, Chris Conroy, Oliver Platt, Maggie Castle, Alexa Havins;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” on the website imdb.com
“Savages”, 2012
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this crime thriller depicts a polyamorous relationship between two best friends and their shared girlfriend. Their lives take a dark turn when a Mexican drug cartel kidnaps their girlfriend, leading them on a violent mission to get her back.
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch, Demián Bichir, Joel Moore, Shea Whigham;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: action, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Savages” on the website imdb.com
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, 2008
Director: Woody Allen
Directed by Woody Allen, this romantic comedy-drama explores the fluid relationships among three main characters (played by Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, and Penélope Cruz) in the picturesque city of Barcelona, touching on themes of love, passion, and non-traditional relationships.
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Chris Messina, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Dunn, Christopher Evan Welch, Julio Perillán, Juan Quesada;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” on the website imdb.com
“Trigonometry”, 2020
Director: Athina Rachel Tsangari, Stella Corradi
A British television series that focuses on a couple struggling with financial difficulties who decide to take in a lodger. The three soon develop a deep, romantic relationship, challenging their previous perceptions of love and commitment.
Starring: Ariane Labed, Thalissa Teixeira, Gary Carr, Rebecca Humphries, Anne Consigny, Isabella Laughland, Ambreen Razia, Ann Akinjirin, Aston McAuley, Darryl Foster;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Trigonometry” on the website imdb.com
“Love Songs”, 1999
Director: Andre Braugher, Louis Gossett Jr., Robert Townsend
A French musical film that deals with the aftermath of a tragic death, leading the surviving characters to explore new, polyamorous dynamics within their relationships. The film combines music, romance, and drama to convey its themes.
Starring: Robert Townsend, Rachael Crawford, Carl Gordon, Djanet Sears, Don Dickinson, Michael Anthony Rawlins, Andre Braugher, Lynn Whitfield, Brent Jennings, Louis Gossett Jr.;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: melodrama;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Love Songs” on the website imdb.com
“Design for Living”, 1933
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
A pre-Code Hollywood film based on a play by Noël Coward, about a woman who cannot choose between two men, leading to an agreement where they all live together in a polyamorous arrangement. Despite its age, the film presents a surprisingly progressive view on love and relationships.
Starring: Fredric March, Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins, Edward Everett Horton, Franklin Pangborn, Isabel Jewell, Jane Darwell, Wyndham Standing, Cosmo Kyrle Bellew, Lionel Belmore;
Production year: 1933;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
Age: 0+;
Duration: 91 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Design for Living” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their own unique way, provide a window into the world of polyamorous relationships, challenging traditional norms and expectations about love and partnership.
In the exploration of films about polyamory, a striking evolution emerges—from the early, often sensationalized depictions to the more nuanced portrayals that delve into the complexities and emotional intricacies of non-monogamous relationships. These films serve not only as a reflection of societal shifts towards greater acceptance of diverse relationship structures but also as a catalyst for conversation and understanding. Through the lens of cinematic storytelling, audiences are invited to challenge their preconceptions and explore the multifaceted nature of love, jealousy, commitment, and intimacy beyond conventional bounds. The selection underscores the importance of representation in fostering empathy and broadening perspectives, illustrating that at the core of polyamorous relationships—like any other—are the universal themes of human connection, of seeking understanding, and the enduring quest for emotional fulfillment.
