Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Her
Directed by	Robert Zemeckis
Produced by	Robert Zemeckis
Written by	Martin Donovan David Koepp
Starring	Meryl Streep Bruce Willis Goldie Hawn
Release date(s)	July 31, 1992
Running time	104 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Death Becomes Her is a 1992 black comedy fantasy film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis. It won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Image File history File links Death_Becomes_Her. ... Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an Academy Award-winning American movie director, producer and writer. ... Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an Academy Award-winning American movie director, producer and writer. ... David Koepp (born June 9, 1963 in Pewaukee, Wisconsin) is an American screenwriter and director. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an Academy Award-winning American actress, director and producer. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... This is a list of film-related events in 1992. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Black comedy and List of black comedies, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ... Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an Academy Award-winning American movie director, producer and writer. ... Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an Academy Award-winning American actress, director and producer. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Visual Effects is an Oscar given to one film each year that shows highest achievement in visual effects. ...

Plot

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Actress Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) and writer Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn) are longtime rivals. Helen's life falls apart, however, when glamorous Madeline steals the affection of Helen's fiancé, heart surgeon Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis), after the two meet at the opening of Madeline's latest Broadway flop (Songbird!, a musical adaptation of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth) and soon marries him. Seven years go by; Helen has become grossly obese and is institutionalized after becoming psychologically obsessed with Madeline. At discussion groups, the mere mention of Madeline's name causes pandemonium among the additional patients and white hot fury in Helen's psychologist (Alaina Reed Hall), ordering Helen to erase Madeline from her mind. Helen, however, starts developing another way to "erase" Madeline from her life... Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an Academy Award-winning American actress, director and producer. ... Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), better known by the pseudonym Tennessee Williams, was a major American playwright and one of the prominent playwrights of the twentieth century. ... Sweet Bird of Youth is a play by Tennessee Williams which tells the story of a drifter, Chance Wayne, who returns to his home town with a faded movie star, Princess Kosmonopolis, hoping she can help him to break into the movies. ... Obesity is an excess storage of fat and can affect any mammal, such as the mouse on the left. ... Alaina Reed Hall (born November 10, 1946 in Springfield, Ohio) is an American actress, best known for her roles as Olivia, Gordons kid sister on Sesame Street and Rose Lee Holloway on 227. ...

An additional seven years go by; Madeline struggles with her fading looks and failing career. Ernest is now a high end mortician and an alcoholic. One morning, 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 at her private spa, only to be denied. The spa's proprietor, however, refers Madeline to the exclusive services of the mysterious Lisle von Rhoman before Madeline departs. This article is about the vocation of a mortician and the death metal band; for the World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, see The Undertaker. ... King Alcohol and his Prime Minister circa 1820 Alcoholism is the consumption of or preoccupation with alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the alcoholics normal personal, family, social, or work life. ...

Madeline grudgingly attends the book signing with Ernest, where she is horrified to discover that Helen has become a beautiful, knockout redhead with a body and looks far superior to hers when she and Ernest were engaged. Now desperate for any chance of improving her looks, especially after having her feelings broken by her younger lover, Madeline seeks out Lisle von Rhoman (Isabella Rossellini) that very night. After piquing Madeline's interest, Lisle - who appears no older than 23 - reveals that she is actually 71 years old, and has discovered the secret to eternal youth. Lisle offers Madeline a potion which Lisle promises will not only stop the aging process but reverse it as well, restoring Madeline's youth and beauty. The only condition is that, after 10 years, Madeline must disappear from the public eye forever to help protect Lisle's secret. After seeing a demonstration of the potion's power on her hand, Madeline quickly buys the potion for an undisclosed but incredibly high price. After taking it, Madeline is ushered a warning: to take perfect care of her new body. Book signing is the affixing of a signature to the title page or flyleaf of a book by its author. ... Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini (born June 18, 1952 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and former supermodel. ... A potion (from Latin potio, potionis, meaning beverage, potion, poison) is a drinkable medicine or poison. ...

Meanwhile, Helen appears at Ernest and Madeline's home, where she quickly seduces Ernest and reveals to him a detailed and foolproof plot to kill Madeline (by drugging her and making her death seem like a drunk driving accident). Ernest initially refuses, but Helen convinces him of their happy future together with Madeline eliminated. Ernest then agrees to the conspiracy and Helen departs. Look up Plot in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Drunk driving (drink driving in the UK) or drinking and driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol (i. ... Look up conspiracy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Having drunk the potion and been instantly restored to her youth and beauty, Madeline drives back home, only to be confronted by an angry Ernest. Confident that she no longer needs Ernest, Madeline dismisses him; this pushes Ernest over the edge and, during a vicious argument, he loses control and pushes Madeline down their grand staircase. Madeline breaks her neck and lands in a lifeless heap at the bottom of the stairs. In a panic, Ernest calls Helen for help - but soon discovers that Madeline, despite having her head on backwards, is very much alive.

After literally getting her head on straight, Madeline is rushed to the emergency room of a hospital, where the doctor (an unbilled Sydney Pollack) recognizes that her physical body has died, even though she is still walking and talking. The doctor suffers a fatal heart attack from this revelation. Ernest drives himself and Madeline back home, using his experience as a mortician to restore the natural good looks of his wife. Helen then reappears at their home to bury Madeline - whom she thinks is dead - in Death Valley. A livid Madeline overhears the plot (and is angered more by Helen's opinion of Madeline as "a bad actress"), confronts Helen, and then shoots her rival dead with a single shotgun blast to the stomach. The emergency room is the American English term for a room, or group of rooms, within a hospital that is designed for the treatment of urgent and medical emergencies. ... For the record label, see Hospital Records. ... Sydney Pollack (born July 1, 1934 in Lafayette, Indiana) is an American actor, producer, and director. ... This article is about the vocation of a mortician and the death metal band; for the World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, see The Undertaker. ... Death Valley is a valley in the U.S. states of California and Nevada, and is the location of the lowest elevation in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. ... For other uses, see Shotgun (disambiguation). ...

However, despite having a large gaping hole blown into her abdomen, Helen does not die: she had also drunk the potion supplied by Lisle years before (October 26th, 1985). The two now undead rivals battle it out in a futile attempt to kill one another, while Ernest surrenders to his fears and decides to leave the two women forever. The abdomen is a part of the body. ... Undead is a collective name for mythological beings that are deceased yet behave as if alive. ...

Eventually reconciling their differences, Madeline and Helen turn to Ernest to repair their incredibly damaged appearances. Unfortunately, Ernest’s repairs are only temporary: Madeline and Helen will need Ernest to perform routine maintenance to their bodies forever. They then conspire to make Ernest drink the potion as well, knocking him unconscious and bringing him to Lisle's mansion on the eve of party she is throwing for her clients. A potion (from Latin potio, potionis, meaning beverage, potion, poison) is a drinkable medicine or poison. ... Chehel Sotouns Wall painting, that dates back to the Safavid era, depicts a Chaharshanbe Suri celebration. ...

Ernest regains consciousness and Lisle tries to convince him to drink the potion, but after having seen the consequences Madeline and Helen now suffer, he refuses. Ernest then flees, finding himself trapped within Lisle’s labyrinthine mansion, where he encounters a whole host of celebrities generally assumed to be dead, including Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Elvis Presley, James Dean and Jim Morrison. After a final showdown with Madeline and Helen and destroying the vial of potion Lisle gave him, Ernest survives a high fall into Lisle's swimming pool and escapes for good. With Ernest gone, Helen and Madeline realize, much to their chagrin, that they are now forced to look out for each other... forever. For other uses, see Celebrity (disambiguation). ... Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962), was a Golden Globe Award-winning American actress, singer, model and pop icon. ... Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 — February 22, 1987), better known as Andy Warhol, was an American artist who became a central figure in the movement known as Pop art. ... Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... For the film, see James Dean (film). ... James Douglas Morrison (8 December 1943 – 3 July 1971) was an American singer, songwriter, writer, film director, and poet. ...

Thirty-seven years later, Helen and Madeline - both in wretched states of physical disrepair - attend Ernest Menville's funeral. There it is revealed that Ernest led a fulfilling and successful life, having achieved much more in his mortal lifespan than Madeline and Helen were ever likely to do in their self-centered immortality. After disrupting the service with their raucous laughter, Madeline and Helen begin to fight over a missing can of spray paint, which Helen needs to repair one of her cheeks, and depart. They continue to bicker outside the church, where Helen slips on the can of spray paint, dragging Madeline down with her. The two tumble down yet another flight of stairs and literally shatter to pieces upon hitting the bottom. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Spray painting is painting using a device that sprays the paint. ... For the architectural structure, see Church (building). ...

And still alive, Helen's head rolls over to Madeline's and asks, "Do you remember where you parked the car?"

Cast

Please add more information about the cast and the crew, discussing the "behind the scenes" aspects of the production process, and giving insights into the casting and staffing where possible. See also Wikipedia:WikiProject Films/Style guidelines for more advice.

• Meryl Streep as Madeline Ashton
• Bruce Willis as Dr. Ernest Menville
• Goldie Hawn as Helen Sharp
• Isabella Rossellini as Lisle von Rhoman
• 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

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an Academy Award-winning American actress, director and producer. ... Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini (born June 18, 1952 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and former supermodel. ... Ian Ogilvy as Simon Templar pictured on a reprint of an early Saint novel published to coincide with the TV series. ... Adam Storke (b. ... Alaina Reed Hall (born November 10, 1946 in Springfield, Ohio) is an American actress, best known for her roles as Olivia, Gordons kid sister on Sesame Street and Rose Lee Holloway on 227. ... The name Michelle Johnson can refer to: Michelle Johnson (actress), who has appeared in such movies as Blame It on Rio and The Glimmer Man. ... Mary Ellen Trainor is a American film and television actress who is probably best remembered as either Dr. Stephanie Woods in the Lethal Weapon movies or as Harriet Walsh (the mother) in The Goonies. ... William Frankfather was born on August 4th 1944, in Kermit, Texas. ... John Ingle (born May 7, 1928, Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an actor best known for his role as evil patriarch Edward Quartermaine on the ABC daytime drama, General Hospital. ... Petrea Burchard (born March 23, 1955 in Lawrence, Kansas) is an American actress, and voice actress. ...

Special effects

Like most of director Robert Zemeckis' films, Death Becomes Her was a technically complex movie to make, and the production had its fair share of mishaps. For example, in a scene where Helen Sharp and Madeline Ashton are battling with shovels, Meryl Streep accidentally scarred Goldie Hawn's face. Streep admitted that she disliked working on a project that focused so heavily on special effects, saying: Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an Academy Award-winning American movie director, producer and writer. ... Shovel with wide blade - especially appropriate for lifting snow or coal A shovel is a tool for lifting and moving loose material such as coal, gravel, snow, soil, or sand. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Goldie Jeanne Hawn (born November 21, 1945) is an Academy Award-winning American actress, director and producer. ...

Trivia

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items into other sections and removing inappropriate items. (June 2007)

• Kevin Kline was originally set to play Ernest Melville; when he demanded to be paid the same salary as Hawn and Streep, however, he was dropped and the part was recast with Bruce Willis.^[2]
• Catherine Bell made her movie debut in this film as Isabella Rossellini's body double- the scar on Rossellini's back from an old operation meaning that she couldn't be used for back shots of her character-, for which she was given a rare credit.
• 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" (in which 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.
• 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).
• The film also includes a possibly intentional reference to Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch: After Ernest rescues Madeline from the hospital, he attempts to convince Helen of Madeline's liveliness by saying "She's not dead, she's resting", a line bearing much similarity to one in the sketch.
• 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.^{[citation needed]}

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24, 1947) is an Academy Award- and Tony Award-winning American stage and film actor. ... Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 in Idar-Oberstein, Germany) is an American actor and singer. ... For the Canadian politician, see Catherine J. Bell Catherine Lisa Bell (born August 14, 1968 in London, England) is a British-born Iranian-American actress best known as being David James Elliotts co-star as fiancee and best friend Lt. ... Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini (born June 18, 1952 in Rome, Italy) is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and former supermodel. ... Body Double is a 1984 film by directed Brian De Palma. ... Tracey Ullman (born December 30, 1959) is a English comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the first film in the Back to the Future trilogy. ... Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an Academy Award-winning American movie director, producer and writer. ... Monty Python, or The Pythons, is the collective name of the creators of Monty Pythons Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wikisource. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Alan Silvestri (b. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Death Becomes Her at the Internet Movie Database
• Death Becomes Her at the TCM Movie Database
• Movie stills