Death Becomes Her

Rating:
Summary: a strange, quirky, and entertaining movie
Review: A film by Robert Zemeckis

I think that it is fair to say that this is a strange movie. Helen (Goldie Hawn) is engaged to be married to Dr Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis), a famous plastic surgeon. They watch a rather awful show at the theatre and go backstage to meet the star, Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep). Madeline and Helen knew each other in high school, and Helen believes that Madeline intentionally steals every boyfriend Helen has. This is the final test before the wedding. Naturally, Madeline, who is vain about her appearance and worried about aging, does steel Ernest away and ends up marrying him herself. This drives Helen crazy, literally. We flash forward seven years to get an update on the characters, then another seven years to bring us to the main section of our story. Madeline is aging and she hates it. She meets up with Helen again, and Helen looks fantastic, as if she hasn't aged a day in the past 14 years. Helen is all glammed up and looks like a star. Madeline is starting to look frumpy. It is all starting to come full circle and Madeline's jealousy is driving her to do something rash.

Rather than do something predictable (in the movies, anyway) like start killing people, Madeline goes to a strange woman named Lisle (Isabella Rossellini) and gets a potion that halts the aging process and returns the body to its youthful, more perfect image. It also bestows immortality. Now Madeline can compete with Helen again! This rivalry and this fight will continue on through life and even into death.

"Death Becomes Her" is a comedy. It is a very strange comedy, and has something of a dark humor, but it is without question an original movie. It is one of the more overlooked movies in Robert Zemeckis's filmography. He is better known for "Back to the Future", "Forrest Gump" and "Cast Away". This isn't a perfect movie, but it is entertaining, creative, and interesting. One important thing that I can say is that I did not find this movie predictable at all. I had no idea where Zemeckis was going with "Death Becomes Her" until the end.

-Joe Sherry

Rating:
Summary: Devilish, Wicked Black Comedy
Review: Directed by the amazing Robert Zemeckis, "Death Becomes Her" features a clever script, an awesome cast, and mind-blowing special effects that most Hollywood films lack nowadays. The film centers on the eternal quest for beauty and youth by an aging Hollywood starlet, Madeline Ashton, (played by the brillant Meryl Streep). Her high school rival, Helen, (Goldie Hawn), brings her latest beau to meet Ashton after a campy performance in a musical based on "Sweet Bird of Youth" (get the theme already?).

When Madeline runs off with Helen's fiance (Bruce Willis) Helen falls into a demented state and becomes obese and determined to get even with Madeline. After discovering a secret potion sold by a Hollywood witch (Isabella Rosellini) both Helen, and later Madeline regain their youth, vitality, and beauty. However, all this comes with strings involving immortality.

The wonderful script pokes fun at many stereotypes, rumors, and realities Hollywood is well-known for. From plastic surgery to the fact that no one has never met a neighbor in Los Angeles, the script is intelligent scriptwriting at its' best. The special effects by Industrial Light and Magic which has Helen walking with a hole through her midsection, and Madeline walking with a twisted neck are incredible to watch. One thing I adored about this film was the wicked, dark, and diabolical score by Alan Silvestri that incorporates harps and vengeful theme throughout the film.

The film's ending featuring a legion of Hollywood's undead (including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and James Dean)is hysterical and even the names of the two main characters, Madeline ("Mad" as in crazy) and Helen ("Hell" as in hellish) is genius. Personally along with "She-Devil," "Heathers," and "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills," this film ranks as one of the best black comedies to come out in recent years. A must-see for everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Siempre Viva!
Review: The passage of time weighs upon us all: the loss of youth's energy, agility, beauty. But let us say there is a potion, an elixir, "a touch of magic in a world obsessed with science." Drink it and you will be forever young. Do not drink it and watch yourself rot away with old age. Just such a potion falls into the hands of two women who are not only consumed with vanity but fierce rivals, determined to best each other no matter the cost. Siempre Viva: Live Forever! Whether you like it or not!

With excellent performances, an invective-laced script, and remarkable special effects, DEATH BECOMES HER takes on several great philosophical and literary concepts--and subverts them into one of the most wickedly funny black comedies in recent memory, dishy, bitchy, mean spirited, and a tremendous amount of fun. Film buffs will particularly relish this film, which references everything from THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW to THE WIZARD OF OZ and a host of classic horror films such as FRANKENSTEIN, THE MUMMY, and CAT PEOPLE--and also tacks in everything from Tennessee Williams plays to rock legend Jim Morrison for good measure.

Unfortunately, the DVD release is commonplace, offering the film in pan-and-scan only. To give the release its due, the shift from widescreen to pan-and-scan is expertly done and not in the least distracting--but still, a widescreen option for such a special effects heavy film would be preferred. And while this would seem to be an ideal film for a making-of documentary, the DVD offers only a handful of production notes as bonus. Even so, the film is so extremely well done that I wouldn't miss it on that account! Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie, But One DVD Issue
Review: Although the theatrical aspect ratio of this movie was 1.85:1, while the DVD aspect ratio is 4:3, this is not a "Pan&Scan" DVD. In other words, almost none of the original theatrical image has been removed for exhibition on a 4:3 television screen. The film negative aspect ratio was 1.37:1 (almost 4:3), and for theatrical exhibition, the image was "matted" (partially covered from the top down and bottom up) to produce a 1.85:1 image. For exhibition on a 4:3 television screen, the "mattes" have simply been removed. So the DVD exhibition actually shows 27.9 percent more image than the theatrical exhibition. The movie was likely filmed this way so that the theatrical image wouldn't be butchered on television by the "Pan&Scan" process, and because the filmmakers didn't foresee the current state of the home video market, where consumers prefer movies presented in their theatrical aspect ratio, rather than in a ratio in which the image will fill up their 4:3 television screen (if there is a difference). This DVD presents the movie in the aspect ratio in which the filmmakers wanted people to see it on a 4:3 television, but it does not present the movie in the aspect ratio in which the filmmakers wanted people to see it in a movie theater (for that, the DVD would have to present the movie in a "matted widescreen" format). If you're okay with that, enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Uproaringly Funny in Present Day Context....
Review: ...lesee...there's the Adkins, there's Botox, there's Winsor Pilates, there's nip/tuck, there's a lot of stuff shown on late, late night television that promises the fountain of youth...

Life time rivals Madeline and Helen has found the Fountain of Youth in an anti-aging potion administered by a mysterious goddess/vamp who will give a shot of it for the right price. The body however, must be treated carefully because all bumps and bruises and dings eventually add up, therefore making maintenance like a car body necessary. That is why the plastic surgeon husband (played by Bruno Willis) who is now a makeup artiste for a mortuary is desired by both. If you excuse the pun, his restorative work is to die for...both Mad and Hel are made stunning after he's operated on them. Wait! Since the gals are immortal, they need the plastic surgeon around forever too, and they attempt to get him to take the potion, but...danggone! He refuses. (Why the ladies didn't just find another plastic surgeon, we are not priviledged to find out.) Boffo special F/X and great dialog in this one, kiddies. Additionally, if you think of which star has been pulled out of the cobwebs and seen recently on E! network or the Insider, and how they kept up (or didn't keep up) appearances this movie is verrrry funny.

Rating:
Summary: My absolute favorite black comedy
Review: While this can be viewed as a simple black comedy (and a brilliant one at that), it's message also shines and makes Death Becomes Her deserving of some sort of medal.

The fairly simple plot begins with a broadway performance by "wrinkled, wrinkled little star" Madeline Ashton, performing a stage version of 'Sweet Bird of Youth'. As people leave the theater in droves, Earnest Melville watches with wide open eyes at her sensational performance, as his fiance, Helen Sharp, watches with nervous eyes. Melville and Sharp go to see Ashton after the show, and Ashton is out to impress. Helen watches helplessly as Ashton overtly flirts wtih her man. After the show, Sharp explains to Melville that Ashton has stolen men from her before, and that she just wanted to see if he could pass the "Madeline Ashton test". He fails, soon marrying her and driving Helen into a life of misery and obesity in a small apartment full of cats. As Helen tries to forget all about her past, Madeline drives her new husband, once a brilliant plastic surgeon, down to the pont where he is a despairing, depressed mortician. When Ashton is insulted by her partner in an affair for being so much older than he is, she becomes horribly depressed, and desperate for some solution to the problem of old age. She drives to the home of Lisle Van Rhuman, a temptress who is slmost symbolic of satan, who promises her eternal youth in a bottle. From here, things begin going down hill, as Ashton, now undead, and Sharp fight over the man they no longer love.

Isabella Rosalini plays Lisle brilliantly, strangely enough giving me the creeps more than just about any other villain. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn play the competing zombies perfectly, and Bruce Willis plays his part brilliantly. If you're into dark comedy with a moral, this movie is great to pick up and watch anytime.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting!
Review: This is a very interesting movie, I watched it with some other people who usually like dark comedies but for some reason they hated this movie but I liked it and thought that Goldie Hawn, Mery Streep and Bruce Willis were all good and I recommend this movie to anyone who likes dark comedies. There are alot of amusing scenes in this movie but one of my favorites was the scene in the hospital with the nuns who appeared like they were floating down the hall.

Rating:
Summary: You Need A Very Warped Sense Of Humour.
Review: I have always enjoyed black comedies, and have a sometimes embarassingly warped humour. So this film is right up my street.

The plot revolves around Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn's love for Bruce Willis. They end up fighting for him. But, unfortunately they are dead. Strange plot but well executed.

I don't think the majority of people will find this a funny film. Some scenes, which in my opinion are hilarious, are crude. For example when Goldie Hawn gets shot in the stomach with a shotgun, and starts walking around with a tremendous hole in her. Or when Streep falls down a large victorian-style staircase, you can hear and see bones breaking, and when she stands up all her limbs are pointing all over the place. Well, crude or funny, or both. You decide.

Rating:
Summary: Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep ever-lasting beauty
Review: This is a great comedy to watch. Very campy. Middle-aged women will find it cute too. Good ensemble cast.
Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) is a broadway star. Ernest (Bruce Willis) and Helen (Goldie Hawn) are an engaged couple at the show. Helen knows Madeline from way back and meets her again back. Ernest is a big fan of Madeline. They go backstage to see Madeline and the second Madeline sees Ernest, it is lust at first sight. Helen becomes jealous. Next thing we know Ernest and Madeline are getting married.
Seven years later, Helen is 300 pounds and still jealous and angry of Madeline who is now an actress. Evicted from her apartment, she is sent to a mental hospital. She gets the notion to "eliminate" Madeline from her mind.
Seven more years pass. Madeline is aging, still married to Ernest. The couple barely even look at each other. She can't stand his breathing. They see Helen at her birthday/book signing party. Helen is looking younger and trimmer than ever. She looks sexy. Now Helen wants her past-fiancee back. Meanwhile, Madeline goes to see Von Rhuman (Isabella Rossellini)
to purchase a luminous magic potion to give her everlasting beauty.
Now the fun begins. This film is one-thousand laughs and is fast-paced. Bruce Willis is absolutly funny. He is brilliant. You have never seen Bruce Willis like this before.
Cameos: Debra Jo Rupp as a psychiatric patient. Jonathan Silverman as a party guest. Italian model, Fabio is one of Von Rhuman's body guards.
Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn make a great comedic team. But they both are scene stealers.
Of course, Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep had to wear make-up to make them look aged as both in real-life still are well-preserved.
I recommend you see this film in fullscreen on VHS.
No sequel was made.


Rating:
Summary: A VERY FUNNY BLACK COMEDY.
Review: "Death Becomes Her" is a comedy with a very talented cast, in this movie we can see Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis and Isabella Rossellini in the lead roles. Usually action heroes like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenneger try to change bullets and explosions for jokes and comedy, but to be honest they are not very funny, but Bruce Willis really is able to portray comedic roles.

"Death Becomes Her" has outstanding make-up and good visual effects that in the early 1990s were some of the most impressive special effects, and even though the special effects have come really far in these days, the scenes still look realistic and they don't look cheap at all, like other movies whose special effects look dated today.

This movie is a black comedy with some splashes of satire, and there are some scenes that contain strong visual images (like the scene where Goldie gets a huge hole in her stomach), but the humor is applied so well to these images that instead of being grotesque, they produce laughs and creative humor.

The performances in "Death Becomes Her" are very good, Meryl and Goldie are awarded actresses that proof that they are able to portray comedic roles as good as dramatic roles. Bruce Willis has a special timing for comedy and that results in a good performance, and Isabella Rossellini plays a small, but significant role, and she looks great in this movie.

"Death Becomes Her" is a very funny comedy with inventive jokes, good performances and solid visual effects.