However, the final frames we have come to know and love were originally quite different.
Was the original ending better or worse?
However, in the decades following, the movie has become acult camp classic.
Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in ‘Death Becomes Her’ | IMDb
Its deliciously devious with special effects that, at the time, made for laugh-out-loud comedic hijinks.
If ever a little skin peeled, he was right there to spray paint to perfection.
Madeline stands there and decides to let her tumble to her destruction, but Helen isnt going down alone.
Helen grabs Madeline and the two fall down the stairs.
The conclusion is ridiculous and perfectly in line with the films lighthearted tone.
However, it was not the original ending.
Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep in ‘Death Becomes Her’ | IMDb
According to Hawn, The original ending was much more poignant.
Imagine it: Its 37 years later and Madeline and Hel look exactly the same.
The paint is perfect.
Bruce Willis and Meryl Streep in ‘Death Becomes Her’ | IMDb
Just as ageless as promised.
They are sitting amongst a backdrop of mountains and lakes breathtaking beauty and placidity surround them.
They dont know what to do and they begin to think.
Bruce Willis and Goldie Hawn in ‘Death Becomes Her’ | IMDb
Should they go to London?
Ehh, been there, done that.
They look down and see this old man.
Hes holding a womans hand, and hes in love.
Hes close to death but he has such great quality of life, as Hawn explained.
Madeline utters, Isnt that pitiful, as Hel looks upon them with desire and envy.
Its a gut punch.
All their friends have died.
They hate each other, and all they will ever have is each other, as Hawn discussed.
How does the original Death Becomes Her ending compare to the theatrical version?
The originalDeath Becomes Herending is a change of pace following the narrative grandiosity that precedes it.
Its a somber switch that pulls at the heartstrings.
Her face will be perfect.
Her skin will be spotless.
But, she will be empty.
As Hawn argued, its undeniably more poignant.
Its an ungrounded detour.
A non-sequitur that results in viewer disappointment.
The audience deflates, to use Hawns terminology.
Its not wacky and wild.
Its wistful and woeful.
The chuckles and chortles give way to despondency and remorse.
The original ending is tonally incongruous with the rest of the movie.
The audience may have been primed to expect an ending that was more thematically resonant but less visually punchy.
The ending, in and of itself, is arguably better.
It tugs at the heart.
It makes you think.
It makes you question your values and the values media would have you swallow without even chewing first.
However, as a conclusion tothisfilm, its worse.
Its not in line with Zemeckis catastrophic campiness.
Albeit more powerful and more pensive, its also more random and more subdued.
