This black comedy by the "wizard" creator of "Who framed Roger Rabbit" and the "Back to the future" films may not be a great movie but is certainly a very memorable and entertaining one . Although it doesn 't reach the brilliance of "She-devil" (1989) with Roseanne Barr it sure is a well crafted , professionally made film which undoubtly remains as a landmark of the careers of all the actors and the director .
Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) is a timid book author who is engaged to a famous plastic surgeon Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) . Her "friend" Madeline Aston (Meryl Streep) is a famous actress . Helen and Madeline have obviously a bitter antagonism which stems from irreconcilable issues from the past . Their rivalry culminates when Madeline steals Ernest and the two of them tie the knot . Helen is left devastated and vows revenge . Many years later Helen comes back to their lives refreshed and sexy more than ever . Madeline is essentially a has-been washed up actress obsessed with beauty and youth . She meets a mysterious woman called Lisle Von Rhoman (Isabella Rossellini) . Lisle sells her a potion which can give her eternal youth and life . And so the chaos ensues .
This basic premise had a lot of potential but unfortunately the writers didn 't haldle it very well . As a result the plot falls flat in the second hour . (just look at how pointless and unnecessary this climactic action sequence with the dogs chasing Bruce Willis is . An uncalled for chase scene leading to a quite disappointing epilogue which could have stood on its own) . I would also like to point out that the much hyped SFX are actually quite fake . I was never convinced by the cheap digital addition of Helen 's hole in the stomach or by Madeline 's head turning 180 degrees backwards .
Fortunately the good points make up for the flaws . I will have to warn you however that in order to appreciate the film 's merits , one viewing is not enough since the first glance always focuses on the plot development which as I have aforementioned is quite thin . (the hardcore fans of Batman Returns will know what I mean) . A second viewing would be plausible to see how many social subjects this movie deals with :(even if it does it in a comical way which leaves them unnoticed) The feminine perennial insecurity about beauty and their obsession with retaining the youth with make up , face lifts , plastic surgery etc , etc : the side effects are evident ; just look at the last frame . Losing a loved one and abandonment , a person 's misery , and the continuing stream of bad luck . Goldie Hawn is truly heartbreaking when she asks Ernest "not to fail the Madeline Aston test" once again because she "won 't stand it if it happens once more" . Her sad look upon on her eyes when Madeline and Ernest get married is enough to choke you up . The psychological pauperization because of reoccurring bad memories coming from certain person(s) is a chilling aspect of human pain even if it is depicted amusingly in a small scene : when Helen says in the group therapy she 'd like to talk about ... Madeline Aston !!! The personal tragedy is shattering. But the main theme here seems to be nothing more than erotic rivalry , right ? WRONG ! The battle for Ernest 's heart is only the pretext . The 2 heroines had timeworn differences stemming from woman 's everlasting competition . It kind of surprises me that the script was written by two men because they succeeded in capturing and depicting the known aspect " When a woman tries to be beautiful , her purpose is not for male attention and lust but simply to make other women , namely her friends , to eat their hearts out " . The emotions of hate , jealousy , envy are portrayed excellently from the two heroines .
Of course the existential-philosophical issues the film gets down to are also vociferous . This may be considered a spoiler but all I can say that Bruce Willis 's lines when he refuses to drink the potion may sound a bit cliched but are perfect and pose the questions right . There are many great scenes which remain classic in the black comedy and are marvelous samples of great acting and direction . Examples include : Madeline and Ernest 's domestic quarrel at the top of the stairs (failed marriage / lack of self-esteem here as well) : "You 'll put up with everything I have to give you !" . Helen seducing Ernest in his house " Sexual ... sensual .... sexy ... sex ... sex , sex !" . Helen reciting her plan to kill Madeline (the two latter scenes are escorted with an eerie music which gives the right feeling). Helen and Madeline 's climactic shovel-fighting while exchanging various names and comments . To the credit of the director and the crew all these scenes along with the sequences in the hospital or in the pool or in Lisle 's mansion are lavishly shot . Kudos in the director of cinematography and the set designers for their flawless job giving us atmospheric and classic scenes .
On the acting side : Goldie Hawn is deliciously sexy in her red dress and hair , or in black leather . Bruce Willis pulled off a very successful metamorphosis from his typecasting days in action films . He gives a weak person trapped in his lack of will very well . Both of them are very good but the show seems to be stolen by Meryl Streep who is perfect as the hysterical obsessed with the mirror actress . Of course who can forget Isabella Rossellini as Lisle . She may appear in only two scenes but she is one of the most powerful , successful and memorable supporting roles in film history (like Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise) . Her two scenes are pure magic with her mysterious , spellbinding lines and way of talking .
The whole package is completed with some of the most hilarious lines I have heard . I have seen the movie 10 times and I still find new things I hadn 't noticed . I will give you some brief examples
Madeline (observing her neck is "dislocated") : Hernest ! My ass !... I can see ... my ASS !
******************************************************************
Ernest : (in state of panic)Maybe the neighbors heard the gunshot !
Madeline : Neighbors ? What neighbors ? In twelve years in L.A. have you seen any neighbors ??!!!
*********************************************************************
Lisle: (right after Madeline has drunk the potion) Now , a warning.
Madeline: NOW a warning ???!!!!
The list goes on and on . Overall Death Becomes Her is a bit flawed but very good film which can be seen again and again . Not exactly a masterpiece but worth the money . I believe it has already gained its cult status and will be remembered as a diachronic movie .
DEATH BECOMES HER 8 / 10
Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) is a timid book author who is engaged to a famous plastic surgeon Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) . Her "friend" Madeline Aston (Meryl Streep) is a famous actress . Helen and Madeline have obviously a bitter antagonism which stems from irreconcilable issues from the past . Their rivalry culminates when Madeline steals Ernest and the two of them tie the knot . Helen is left devastated and vows revenge . Many years later Helen comes back to their lives refreshed and sexy more than ever . Madeline is essentially a has-been washed up actress obsessed with beauty and youth . She meets a mysterious woman called Lisle Von Rhoman (Isabella Rossellini) . Lisle sells her a potion which can give her eternal youth and life . And so the chaos ensues .
This basic premise had a lot of potential but unfortunately the writers didn 't haldle it very well . As a result the plot falls flat in the second hour . (just look at how pointless and unnecessary this climactic action sequence with the dogs chasing Bruce Willis is . An uncalled for chase scene leading to a quite disappointing epilogue which could have stood on its own) . I would also like to point out that the much hyped SFX are actually quite fake . I was never convinced by the cheap digital addition of Helen 's hole in the stomach or by Madeline 's head turning 180 degrees backwards .
Fortunately the good points make up for the flaws . I will have to warn you however that in order to appreciate the film 's merits , one viewing is not enough since the first glance always focuses on the plot development which as I have aforementioned is quite thin . (the hardcore fans of Batman Returns will know what I mean) . A second viewing would be plausible to see how many social subjects this movie deals with :(even if it does it in a comical way which leaves them unnoticed) The feminine perennial insecurity about beauty and their obsession with retaining the youth with make up , face lifts , plastic surgery etc , etc : the side effects are evident ; just look at the last frame . Losing a loved one and abandonment , a person 's misery , and the continuing stream of bad luck . Goldie Hawn is truly heartbreaking when she asks Ernest "not to fail the Madeline Aston test" once again because she "won 't stand it if it happens once more" . Her sad look upon on her eyes when Madeline and Ernest get married is enough to choke you up . The psychological pauperization because of reoccurring bad memories coming from certain person(s) is a chilling aspect of human pain even if it is depicted amusingly in a small scene : when Helen says in the group therapy she 'd like to talk about ... Madeline Aston !!! The personal tragedy is shattering. But the main theme here seems to be nothing more than erotic rivalry , right ? WRONG ! The battle for Ernest 's heart is only the pretext . The 2 heroines had timeworn differences stemming from woman 's everlasting competition . It kind of surprises me that the script was written by two men because they succeeded in capturing and depicting the known aspect " When a woman tries to be beautiful , her purpose is not for male attention and lust but simply to make other women , namely her friends , to eat their hearts out " . The emotions of hate , jealousy , envy are portrayed excellently from the two heroines .
Of course the existential-philosophical issues the film gets down to are also vociferous . This may be considered a spoiler but all I can say that Bruce Willis 's lines when he refuses to drink the potion may sound a bit cliched but are perfect and pose the questions right . There are many great scenes which remain classic in the black comedy and are marvelous samples of great acting and direction . Examples include : Madeline and Ernest 's domestic quarrel at the top of the stairs (failed marriage / lack of self-esteem here as well) : "You 'll put up with everything I have to give you !" . Helen seducing Ernest in his house " Sexual ... sensual .... sexy ... sex ... sex , sex !" . Helen reciting her plan to kill Madeline (the two latter scenes are escorted with an eerie music which gives the right feeling). Helen and Madeline 's climactic shovel-fighting while exchanging various names and comments . To the credit of the director and the crew all these scenes along with the sequences in the hospital or in the pool or in Lisle 's mansion are lavishly shot . Kudos in the director of cinematography and the set designers for their flawless job giving us atmospheric and classic scenes .
On the acting side : Goldie Hawn is deliciously sexy in her red dress and hair , or in black leather . Bruce Willis pulled off a very successful metamorphosis from his typecasting days in action films . He gives a weak person trapped in his lack of will very well . Both of them are very good but the show seems to be stolen by Meryl Streep who is perfect as the hysterical obsessed with the mirror actress . Of course who can forget Isabella Rossellini as Lisle . She may appear in only two scenes but she is one of the most powerful , successful and memorable supporting roles in film history (like Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise) . Her two scenes are pure magic with her mysterious , spellbinding lines and way of talking .
The whole package is completed with some of the most hilarious lines I have heard . I have seen the movie 10 times and I still find new things I hadn 't noticed . I will give you some brief examples
Madeline (observing her neck is "dislocated") : Hernest ! My ass !... I can see ... my ASS !
******************************************************************
Ernest : (in state of panic)Maybe the neighbors heard the gunshot !
Madeline : Neighbors ? What neighbors ? In twelve years in L.A. have you seen any neighbors ??!!!
*********************************************************************
Lisle: (right after Madeline has drunk the potion) Now , a warning.
Madeline: NOW a warning ???!!!!
The list goes on and on . Overall Death Becomes Her is a bit flawed but very good film which can be seen again and again . Not exactly a masterpiece but worth the money . I believe it has already gained its cult status and will be remembered as a diachronic movie .
DEATH BECOMES HER 8 / 10