Madeline (Meryl Streep) and Helen (Goldie Hawn) play two old "friends" - ostensibly friends, they are actually viciously envious of, and aggressively competitive towards each other, as demonstrated by Madeline marrying Helen's plastic surgeon fiancé Ernest (Bruce Willis), the trauma of which sends Helen to mental hospital for 7 years. By this time Madeline's career is more or less over and Ernest is alcoholic, their marriage a misery-soaked sham. Depressed over the depredations of age, Madeline obtains an elixir of youth and immortality (unknown to her, Helen has already taken this). This coincides with a plot by Helen and Ernest to kill her, a plot which would have been successful were she not now immortal. In retaliation, Madeline blasts a hole in Helen with a shotgun. Both women discover that the advice they were given - to take care of their bodies - was particularly apposite given that the bodies retain all the damage done to them while the woman themselves remain alive.
This very black comedy, directed by Robert Zemeckis, has a wonderful premise, an excellent story, two lead actresses having a ball, Bruce Willis cast and performing against type, and some terrific special effects, mostly concerning the dreadful damage caused to the bodies of the two women - this film illustrated just how good a tool, CGI could be when used well.
Most of all, this film is fun!
This very black comedy, directed by Robert Zemeckis, has a wonderful premise, an excellent story, two lead actresses having a ball, Bruce Willis cast and performing against type, and some terrific special effects, mostly concerning the dreadful damage caused to the bodies of the two women - this film illustrated just how good a tool, CGI could be when used well.
Most of all, this film is fun!