Movie Review: Death Becomes Her (1992)

Death Becomes Her (1992) directed by Robert Zemeckis

Helen the writer (Goldie Hawn) and Madeline the actress (Meryl Streep) are childhood friends who are really more like competitors. In 1978, Helen brings her fiancee Ernest (Bruce Willis) to Madeline's Broadway show. The musical is a flop to everyone but Ernest, who falls for Madeline and marries her. Seven years later, Helen is an overweight couch potato who obsesses over Madeline. Meanwhile, Madeline and Ernest's marriage is on the rocks. His work as a plastic surgeon has morphed into work as an undertaker in Beverly Hills making the dead look good at their funerals. Madeline's acting career seems to be over. Seven more years later, Helen has slimmed down and written a best-selling book. She invites Ernest and Madeline to a swanky event in Los Angeles to meet for the first time. By this point, Madeline is extremely insecure about her looks--her quack of a plastic surgeon recommends she visit Lisle (Isabella Rossellini), who can make Mad's dreams of youthfulness a reality with a magic potion. Meanwhile, Helen seduces Ernest and convinces him to kill Mad with an elaborate scheme. The scheme never goes off because Ernest in an opportune moment pushes Madeline down their big marble staircase, breaking Mad's neck in several spots. While on the phone with Helen to celebrate the "accident," Madeline stands up with her head on backward and berates Ernest. The potion gave her eternal life along with eternal youth, but no protection from bodily harm. She's very mad about the situation. When Helen shows up, Madeline shoots her in the stomach. Helen doesn't die either, because she's had the same potion. They work out their differences and start plotting on how to keep Ernest in their lives since he can patch up their wounds. Even with Ernest's mousy cowardice, he's ready to leave because he can't handle the situation. Can he escape the fate worse than death that Helen and Madeline have fallen into?

The movie works on several levels. The special effects were top-of-the-line (Zemeckis had just finished the Back to the Future trilogy and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) and for the most part still hold up. The age make-up is effective and the injuries are playfully used in the story. The dark comedy works as a satire of people's obsession with youth and beauty, but mostly themselves. The ending is set another 37 years later, with Ernest having lived a fulfilling life after leaving Helen and Madeline. The preacher says that Ernest achieved immortal life by having children and leaving behind benevolent institutions, a surprising insight into the nature of the person and the value of a good legacy. In addition to the dark comedy/special effects extravaganza there's a bit of philosophy thrown in. What's not to like?

Recommended.