Death Becomes Her
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.33 You Save: $5.66 (57%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $3.14 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Death Becomes Her
Movie Review: Siempre Viva!
Summary: 5 Stars
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
Movie Review: Not Your Typical Movie, and I Mean That in a Good Way
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie first came out when I was about 11 years old. I remember going into the cinema in the local mall (which was torn down LONG ago) and seeing carboard cutouts of Hawn, Willis, and Streep. Of course, I had no idea who they were, but the image of Willis's hand going through Hawn's stomach is tough to forget.
I also remember seeing a TV special on the making of this movie, because at that time the special effects used were ultra-high-tech.
Of course I didn't see the movie in the theater. I was awful young. A few years after its theatrical run (maybe two) somebody in my family saw this movie on sale at Randall's as a used video and bought it at a discount.
I enjoyed the movie, particularly because at that point I'd seen nothing where the major theme centered around a fountain of youth. It's a fascinating concept when done well, as done here.
The plot's unusual: Two bitter woman rivals obsessed with vanity drink a magical potion that keeps them young forever, so no matter what awful things they do to one another, they remain alive, even after they're classified as clinically dead. Unfortunately, their bodies take quite a beating and need the upkeep of a plastic surgeon. So they try to get Dr. Ernest Menville (Willis) to drink the potion too. There's a lot more to the story, actually, since Dr. Menville has had very intimate relationships with both women in the past. The build-up of this story is quite beautiful, although a bit sketchy when addressing Hawn's party at the beginning.
I'll close by saying that there are a few scenes of nude female behinds every now and then. Whoa.
Movie Review: Death Becomes Her
Summary: 5 Stars
Is there anything director Robert Zemeckis can't do? He has made a ton of films that are worth a view, and Death Becomes Her is absolutely no exception. With an extremely talented cast, stunning visual effects, and hilarious moments, Death Becomes Her is worth a viewing. Bruce Willis comes out of his action movie front to play a hilarious nerdy plastic surgeon. But it's Meryl Streep and especially Goldie Hawn who steal show. The best lines in the whole film are Goldie: "There's A Hole In My Stomach!!!!!" Bruce: "It's another miracle!" Another great line is Meryl: "Forever Young. Ha! And eternally fat." Death Becomes Her has a little something for everybody. Helen (Goldie Hawn) has just lost her fiance Ernest (Bruce Willis) to Broadway bimbo Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep). 7 years later, Helen is fat, and has been evicted from her apartment. Another 7 years later, Madeline & Ernest have been invited to Helen's booksigning party. Helen is MUCH thinner, and Madeline gets suspicious. She goes to see a woman (Isabella Rosellini) who gives Madeline a potion that guarentees eternal youth & beauty. But, Madeline winds up dead, and has a very head turning experience. Helen & Ernest meanwhile have been plotting a way to kill Madeline. When Helen comes by to make sure that Ernest has buried Madeline, she winds up getting shot in the stomach by Madeline. Now both dead, they must get Ernest to drink the potion, so he can keep on repairing their dead bodies. Or they may have to spend eternity together.
Overall Grade A+ (10+++)
Movie Review: A Masterpiece of Dark Comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
I never get tired of watching "Death Becomes Her" on VHS, and would buy a widescreen DVD version in a heartbeat (got your stethoscope, Sidney Pollack?). The film is perfectly cast. Bruce Willis is a miracle of anti-Bruce Willisness. Isabella Rossellini is over-the-top hilarious. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn are given great lines, and perform them with brilliant excessiveness. The actor and actress who play the plastic surgeon and his assistant are outrageously funny, him with his roving eye, her with an exaggerated French accent. One reason I truly cherish this movie is that it is able to present uber-eccentric characters as believable. Few movies pull this off.Apart from the acting, terrific script, well-executed special effects, rich visual colors (look, for example, at the scene where Helen Sharp [Hawn] stands outside Dr. Menville's door with an umbrella), another reason I cherish this movie is because every frame is interesting, and for many reasons. With some movies, you can name the truly interesting scenes. With this one, every scene is priceless! Still, my favorite moment in the film is where Helen Sharp explains how they will kill Madeline Ashton. It is done with narration, voice-overs, an eerie mix of normal and slow-motion effects, and the darkest of humor. One of my favorite moments in any movie---ever!
I took this movie under my wing when it first came out. My favorite dark comedy, and one of my favorite films of all time.
Movie Review: Brilliant Dark Comedy With Oscar Worthy Elements
Summary: 5 Stars
1992: Robert Zemeckis' film is metafiction with great performances by the lead actresses Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. The visual effects is what most attracts people to this film as it did back in 1992. The story is essentially dark comedy and satire, about the human weakness in women about vanity and rivalry, although commenting on men and women's desire to live forever, cheat death and remain young. Zemeckis lavished the film with stunning visual effects, haunting imagery and chilling music. Great performances by the lead actors. This film is worthy of Oscars, but I don't recall whether it won anything back in 1992.Bruce Willis is the husband of Goldie Hawn, (Helen), Meryl Streep plays her rival, a faded stage actress. When the two women fight for him and to keep themselves young, they seek an enchantress (played by Isabella Rosallini) who gives them a potion that makes them young. However, they begin to rot and deteriorate until they are cartoon-like parodies of themselves, with plastic contortions of their bodies, huge eyes and holes in their stomachs. They die and even then they are caught up on lookin good. A great commentary on the plastic surgery and breast/image enhancement women of Hollywood are so pressured to do these days. This film is exceptional, with great music and with a lot of social commentary.