“I don’t want to become one of the living dead in Beverly Hills,” says plastic surgeon-turned-mortician Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis) in Robert Zemeckis’ black comedy Death Becomes Her.
Using elements of the zombie movie and camp melodrama – the rivalry between two ambitious women – the movie is an attempt to satirise the West Coast craze for youth and beauty.
The rivals are Ernest’s ex-wife, novelist Helen (Goldie Hawn), and his current wife, superbitch actress Madeline (Meryl Streep), who each take a magic rejuvenation potion supplied to them by eccentric witch Lisle Von Rhuman (Isabella Rossellini) with bizarre results.
The special effects win the day, but Streep and Hawn are deliciously bitchy as they try to outwit and out-bitch each other, while Willis is a pleasant surprise as the put-upon hubby in this quirky but enjoyable oddity.
Madeline Ashton
Meryl Streep Ernest Menville
Bruce Willis Helen Sharp
Goldie Hawn Lisle Von Rhuman
Isabella Rossellini Chagall
Ian Ogilvy Dakota
Adam Storke Rose
Nancy Fish Psychologist
Alaina Reed Hall Anna
Michelle Johnson Vivian Adams
Mary Ellen Trainor Mr Franklin
William Frankfather Eulogist
John Ingle
Director Robert Zemeckis
Video
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Madeline Ashton
