Death Becomes Her (1992)

Death Becomes Her (1992)

6/10

Starring

Meryl Streep

Goldie Hawn

Bruce Willis

 

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

In 1992, we got to see Meryl Streep in a comedy. She decided to branch out into a role she’s not well known for, and honestly, it wasn’t so spectacular.

It’s not that she doesn’t have the artistry to pull off comedy—it’s just that we’re not familiar with that side of her. That said, Bruce Willis and Goldie Hawn were completely comfortable in their roles in this comedy.

Produced and directed by Robert Zemeckis, this fantasy comedy is about two women obsessed with making each other unhappy. Their rivalry didn’t sit well as they aged, and both decided to take a dip in the fountain of youth.

The story starts with Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing Helen’s (Goldie Hawn) man, Dr. Ernest (Bruce Willis). Helen was sure Madeline would do such a thing because, since they were young, that had always been Madeline’s goal.

Helen is heartbroken and ends up in a mental institution after Madeline marries Ernest. All she could think about was getting even with Madeline. Years later, Helen wrote a book and got her life back on track.

She invites Madeline and Ernest to her book launch, but when Madeline sees her, Helen isn’t the same overweight woman she once knew. Helen has transformed into a skinny, sexy-looking lady who appears to be in her thirties despite being in her fifties.

Helen starts pulling the strings of her game, telling Madeline that she has forgiven her and blames Ernest for not being faithful. The twist is what she tells Ernest—that she has forgiven him and blames Madeline for stealing him away. Together, they start planning Madeline’s murder.

Madeline goes to see her plastic surgeon, hoping for more surgery, but she’s turned down. However, a man gives her a card for someone who can perform miracles. Madeline visits the woman, who looks thirty but claims to be seventy-one.

The woman reveals the secret to her beauty and youth: an expensive potion. Madeline pays a hefty sum for it and, after drinking it, her youth is restored. The woman explains the conditions for using the potion, the most important being that Madeline must take good care of her body.

Madeline returns home, and her newfound youth makes her prideful. She looks down on Ernest and starts insulting him. Ernest loses it and pushes her down the stairs, killing her—or so he thinks. The surprise of the day is that Madeline, with a broken wrist and neck, gets up and isn’t dead.

The movie was fun to watch, even if Meryl seemed out of place in her role. The focus was mainly on the three characters, and despite Streep’s discomfort, the movie was still enjoyable.

Willis and Hawn were on point, making the comedy hit home. Honestly, I’m surprised this movie hasn’t had a reboot yet.