“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.
Novelist Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) and superbitch actress Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) are “friends” who vie for the affections of dull, wimpy Ernest. After vain, desperate-to-stay-young Madeline wins his hand, Helen spends seven years turning into a couch potato.
Fast forward another seven years, and time is taking its toll on Madeline. Despite her maid’s rehearsed, daily speech, “you’re looking younger every day,” Mad knows a miracle is needed to stem the tidal wave of age.
When she sees the now-slim and gorgeous Helen, Mad takes a trip to eccentric witch Lisle Von Rhuman (a scantily dressed Isabella Rossellini) and takes a magic rejuvenation potion. But there’s a high price to pay, and not just in the purse.
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 majority of the film is concerned with special effects (and they certainly 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
Lisle Von Rhuman
