An absorbent article has been granted a patent. The article comprises a unitary system of microlayered film constructed and arranged for performing multiple functions. The system has at least one first microlayer film region with a liquid intake function, at least one second microlayer film region with a liquid retention function and at least one third microlayer film region with a liquid barrier function. The first microlayer film region has a construction that is at least in part different from the construction of the at least one second microlayer film region and of the at least one third microlayer film region.