Death Becomes Her
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Death Becomes Her is a 1992 black comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis. It won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Plot
Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) and Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) are long time romantic rivals. However, dowdy Helen's life falls apart when glamorous Madeline steals the affection of her fiancé, Dr. Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis). As the years go by Madeline struggles with her aging body and failing career. Ernest, once a brilliant cosmetic surgeon, is now Madeline's husband, a high end mortician, and alcoholic. Helen, meanwhile, has been institutionalised after becoming obsessed with her rival Madeline.Both women are reunited when Madeline receives an invitation to a book signing party for Helen's new book "Forever Young". Not to be outdone by Helen's success Madeline seeks out a dangerous cosmetic treatment, and is denied. However the Spa's proprietor refers Madeline to the exclusive services of Lisle Von Rhoman (Isabella Rossellini).
Defeated, Madeline attends the book signing with Ernest. There the odd details of Ernest’s success as a mortician are revealed (spraypaint). As Helen begins to play Ernest and Madeline against one another it’s discovered that Helen has become a beautiful redhead with a body and looks better than she had when she and Ernest were engaged.
After the party Madeline flees to the arms of her lover Dakota (Adam Storke) only to be rejected by the embarrassment endured because of her age. Distraught Madeline takes to the streets of Los Angeles. Whilst driving erratically Madeline see's her own reflection screams and dangerously stops the car. Eventually the desperate Madeline seeks out Von Rhoman only to discover that Lisle is actually a 71 year old woman, with a the body of a 20 year old, and a retinue of young muscular servants. Lisle offers Madeline a potion which Lisle promises will not only stop, but reverse the aging process, on the condition that after 10 years Madeline must disappear from the public eye. Eventually Madeline is convinced and buys the potion for presumed incredibly high price.
Madeline is restored to her youth and beauty only to be confronted by Ernest who has been manipulated by Helen into joining a plot to poison Madeline. During a vicious argument Ernest eventually pushes Madeline down their grand stair case where she breaks her neck amongst other injuries. In a panic Ernest calls Helen for help, but discovers that Madeline despite having her head on backwards is very much alive.
After getting her head on straight, Madeline is rushed to the emergency room of a hospital only to send her Doctor into a heart attack. After fainting Madeline is pronounced dead and sent to the morgue from which Ernest rescues her.
At their home Ernest begins to use his experience as a mortician to restore the natural good looks of his wife. Things become complicated when Helen confronts Ernest and accidentally reveals to Madeline the plot to kill her. Madeline in turn confronts Ernest and Helen only to kill Helen with a shotgun blast to the stomach. However, Helen does not die, like Madeline it is revealed that Helen has also drunk a potion supplied by Lisle. The two undying rivals battle in a futile attempt to kill one another, while Ernest surrenders to his fears and decides to leave the two women forever.
After reconciling their differences Madeline and Helen turn to Ernest to repair their damaged bodies. Ernest agrees on the condition that he is allowed to leave and be free of both women permanently. Unfortunately Ernest’s repairs are only temporary and the two women conspire to make Ernest drink the potion as well.
After nearly killing Ernest the two women bring Ernest to Lisle on the eve of a party for all her clients. Lisle tries unsuccessfully to convince Ernest to drink the potion but instead he tries to escape. Trapped within Lisle’s labyrinthine mansion Ernest discovers a number of celebrities like Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley (who can't stop making public appearances), have also taken Lisle’s potion. After a failed attempt by Helen and Madeline to convince Ernest to drink the potion, Ernest falls from the roof into Lisle’s pool only barely escaping with his life, also meeting Jim Morrison. Helen and Madeline are forced to look out for each other... forever.
After decades Helen and Madeline in a terrible state attend the funeral of Dr. Ernest Menville. There it is revealed that Ernest has led a fulfilling and successful life, having achieved more with his mortal life, than Madeline and Helen are likely to with their self-centred immortality.
After disturbing the ceremonies Helen and Madeline leave the funeral only to slip on their own can of spray paint which they use to give colour to their skin. Falling down yet another flight of stairs the two women literally fall to pieces.
Cast
- Meryl Streep
- Bruce Willis
- Goldie Hawn
- Isabella Rossellini
- Ian Ogilvy
- Adam Storke
- Nancy Fish
- Alaina Reed Hall
- Michelle Johnson
- Mary Ellen Trainor
- William Frankfather
- John Ingle
- Clement von Franckenstein
- Petrea Burchard
- Jim Jansen
Trivia
- Madeline Ashton's musical (Songbird!) at the start of the film is described as a musical adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth.
- Catherine Bell makes her movie debut in this film as Isabella Rossellini's body double, for which she was given a rare credit.
- Helen takes the potion on October 26, 1985. This is the same day as the "present" date used in Back To The Future (also directed by Robert Zemeckis).
- In a scene where Helen Sharp and Madeline Ashton are battling with shovels, Meryl Streep accidentally scarred Goldie Hawn's face.
- Tracey Ullman appeared in the trailers as a bartender who is also Ernest's girlfriend. After filming what director Robert Zemeckis referred to as a "saccharine ending" (Where Ernest and Ullman's character escape to Europe), Zemeckis decided to opt for a darker ending, and Ullman's character was one of seven or eight actors with speaking roles that was cut.
- The film has been noted for its deliberately Hitchcockian elements, such as its use of a blonde protagonist and the dark visuals. Composer Alan Silvestri's score is also similar to Bernard Herrmann's work for Hitchcock.
External links
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