Death Becomes Her (1992)

This 1992 black comedy by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the Back to the Future trilogy) features some of the most eye-popping special effects of the '90s in its story of a narcissistic star (Meryl Streep) who steals the husband (Bruce Willis) of another woman (Goldie Hawn) and continues her rivalry with her even after death. A magic potion keeps both women going despite the punishment of murderous bullets and fatal plunges, and the joke is that even as they rot they remain vain about appearances. Though he's fashioned a one-note movie, Zemeckis gets a lot of mileage out of such impressive sights as Hawn walking around with a hole in her chest the size of a basketball, and Streep--her head and arms twisted 180 degrees--moving like a broken crab. It's weird, it's sick, it's hilarious, and the stars push the whole project to a classy entertainment. Isabella Rossellini is great as a scantily clad witch who sells the immortality brew. The DVD release has a full-screen presentation, optional French and Spanish soundtracks, optional Spanish subtitles, and Dolby sound. --Tom Keogh Amazon.com essential video

 What A Riot!!
Who knew the topic of death could be so funny. Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn totally rawked in this comedy. A story about husband stealing,devious,unsrupulous women and a weak man. What's that old saying? All is fair in love and war?? May 8, 2008

 funny and fun
A hilarious comedy that rests entirely on the shoulders of its stars; Meryl Streep is superb (when is she not?) and is matched in intensity and humour by Goldie Hawn. Bruce Willis is really great in his turn as a comedic actor. this is not a masterpiece by any means but it is a fun and a funny movie to watch nevertheless. April 15, 2008

 new look on death
This is so funny. Enjoyed so much. If you like to laugh then sit back and enjoy March 10, 2008

 death becomes her
I knew what to expect from the movie, my kids love it. But it took a long time to arrive and I was afraid it wouldn't make it for Christmas January 1, 2008

 I'll paint your a-s-s and you can paint mine
I Loooooooooove this movie. "Death Becomes Her" is just such a perfect movie. Because, it is funny, clever and incredibly entertaining. And besides, the entire cast works together especially well, especially Goldie Hawn (Helen Sharp) and Meryl Streep (the one and only, Madeline Ashton.)

"Death Becomes Her" is the story of two incredibly vain, megalomaniacs who each find a perpetual fountain of youth. Courtesy of Lisle von Rhoman (played by the talented and equally beautiful Isabella Rossellini.)

The movie begins with Helen and Dr. Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) watching a sublime (and substandard) Broadway performance of an old chum of Helen's; Madeline. (Incidentally, Broadway Shows have nothing to do with the quality of the performance, rather it is a description to describe the number of seats in the theater.) It is soon apparent that Dr. Menville is smitten with Madeline, but he denies it to Helen (his fiance.)

After Dr. Menville marries Madeline (no one saw that coming!,) Helen really goes berserk! She eats herself into an oblivion (Helen especially enjoys those Betty Crocker frosting containers) and has to be carted off to the loony bin kicking and screaming. Goldie was absolutely astounding during these scenes in the movie. Because she totally turned into another person. Not only did she look like a big fat crazy lunatic, but she acted exactly the way anyone would expect!

Fast forward 7 years. Helen has written a book and invites Madeline and Ernest to the release party. Of course Madeline wants to go so she can rub her friend's nose in the fact that she stole her lover. But when Madeline sees how beautiful and young Helen looks she nearly faints! Yup, Goldie changed her look again. This time she was svelte and stunning to look at. Things get even more complicated for Madeline when her young boy-toy takes up with a younger woman!

So, on a whim, Madeline visits Lisle (pronounced like "Lisa") and purchases her fountain of youth. Wasn't it hysterical when Lisle asked Madeline to tell her how old she thought she looked and Madeline said 38! Did you noticed that shocked look on Lisle's face? And, while this is all going on, Helen and Ernest are plotting to kill Madeline and make it all look like an accident. When Madeline comes home and shoots her mouth off one too many times to Ernest he gets enraged and pushes her down the stairs. It was hysterical when Helen said to Ernest, "what part of the plan did you not understand?"

The rest of the movie is a competition between Helen and Madeline to lure Ernest back to each of them. Then when they each realize that he isn't anything special, they decide to get him to drink the same potion as they did. So he can live forever and maintain their upkeep (after all, he's an undertaker!)

It was also so incredibly funny how Madeline and Ernest all of a sudden became a loving couple after he tried to kill her. If that's not complete and utter dysfunction, then I don't know what is! And, of course it was just as funny how Helen and Madeline were both fighting over Ernest because they only desired him because the other wanted him! And, it was even more hysterical how Madeline and Helen would say these incredibly mean-spirited comments to each other then act like the best of friends! These two kooks really fed off he each other so well. Like Baby Jane and Blanche Hudson, Helen and Madeline are destined to be together for the rest of their lives!

If you enjoyed this movie, I also recommend: She-Devil and Overboard.

This movie will put a smile on anyone's face! It's a deliciously fabulous, catty brouhaha from beginning to end!




November 25, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...