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Death Becomes Her

Actor(s): Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, Isabella Rossellini, Ian Ogilvy
Director(s): Robert Zemeckis
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Details

MPAA Rating: PG-13
Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Profanity
Movie Release: 1992
DVD Release: 01/20/1998
Format: DVD - Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 43 mins
Studio: Universal Studios
Members Wishing: 23
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Black Comedy, Fantasy Comedy

Synopsis

High-concept director Robert Zemeckis applies his usual polish -- helped by an equally adept cast -- for this surprisingly gruesome and extremely funny black comedy. The film begins with narcissistic actress Madeline (Meryl Streep) stealing the latest in a series of potential fiancées, wimpy plastic surgeon Ernest (Bruce Willis), from her ex-best friend Helen (Goldie Hawn). Depressed and infuriated, Helen suffers a breakdown that lands her in a mental hospital -- in addition to a junk-food bender that seems to triple her weight. When Madeline crosses paths with Helen again many years later, she is horrified to discover her once-chunky rival looking younger, slimmer and more glamorous than ever before. Fearing that Helen will try to steal Ernest back -- and dreading the thought of not having a plastic surgeon at her beck and call -- Madeline solicits the supernatural services of an exotic New Age mystic (Isabella Rossellini), who sells her a potent youth elixir with the stipulation that she follow the dosage instructions to the letter... yeah, right. It appears that Helen owes her sexy comeback to the same magic formula, and the inevitable violent clash between the two well-dressed banshees leads to the realization that both women have become nearly impervious zombies, clawing at each other's throats long after the blood has run cold in their veins. Best remembered for Dick Smith's Oscar-winning makeup effects, which allow the rapidly-rotting undead femmes to toss off witty one-liners with ragged holes blasted through their bodies or spin their heads Exorcist-style. Not all the sight gags work, and Zemeckis' lighthearted treatment of such grotesque material tends to dull the satirical edge, but there are some truly inspired moments of dementia -- particularly a hilarious cameo from Sydney Pollack as a doctor who comes unglued while examining Streep (who has yet to realize she's dead). ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Cast

Meryl Streep - Madeline Ashton
Bruce Willis - Ernest Menville
Goldie Hawn - Helen Sharp
Isabella Rossellini - Lisle Von Rhumans
Ian Ogilvy - Chagall

Awards

1992	Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or C (nominee)	Golden Globe	Meryl Streep
1992	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Ken Ralston
1992	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Doug Chiang
1992	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Doug Smythe
1992	Best Visual Effects (winner)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Tom Woodruff, Jr.

Editorial Review

Robert Zemeckis' special effects laden black comedy Death Becomes Her comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer that fails to preserve the original theatrical aspect ratio of the film. English, Spanish, and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Spanish subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence. This is a sub-par release from Universal. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide