I am a movie buff. And I know a lot of people may share this glorious title. But true movie buffs don’t just love movies – we analyze them. We focus on the action in every scene and notice every little nuance in the dialogue. Just when we think we have mastered and memorized every aspect of one our favorite movies, it happens. Upon watching that movie for the 347th time, we catch something that we had never noticed before. Sure, that happens to most people. But what really sets us movie nerds apart from common movie lovers is that we believe that all movies speak to us in some form or another.
If this theory of mine is true, there is no doubt that certain movies may have messages that were intended to be taken one way but obviously taken as an “ah hah” moment for those who are truly tapped in. For me, the movie Death Becomes Her does just that.
To begin to understand why this movie is comedic genius to me, let me just remind you who stars in it. Meryl Streep (Madeline Ashton), Goldie Hawn (Helen Sharp), and Bruce Willis (Ernest Menville). All of these stars have tickled my funny bone in some form or another over the years. But together – they were cinematic gold! The movie premiered in 1992, close to 30 years ago (I know – let that sink in). Still, every single time I see it, I laugh like I am watching Dave Chappelle do stand up. Not comparing the two – just had to give some context – I think the movie is hilarious. For those of you who have seen this movie, you should know what I mean. If you have never seen this movie, well – I’m not sure if we can even be friends. Kidding. Not.
There is a lot that happens in this movie. And if you are ready to get your laugh on – go check it out. But I’m going to cut to the end of the movie because this is the part that “speaks to me” now.
Spoiler Alert!!!
Fast forward 37 years into the future. Ernest has finally died of natural causes and Helen and Madeline show up to the funeral in black veils with faces like tree trunks and bodies like the elephant man. Without Ernest around to help them keep up their youthful appearances, their decrepitness was inevitable. The two of them sit at the back of the church while the minister gives Ernest the most fascinating eulogy.
The minister goes on to say that Ernest’s motto was: “Life begins at 50!”
At 50, Ernest meets and marries his wife, Claire. Over the years, he goes on to have two sons and four daughters, adopts children from around the globe, starts foundations, becomes a philanthropist, and a respected academic. When he finally does die at 87, he has accomplished more in those 37 years than most people do in an entire lifetime.
This is what the minister said at Ernest’s funeral:
“Ernest had learned the secret of eternal life. And it’s here – in the hearts of his friends! He’d learned the secret of eternal youth. And it’s here in the lives of his children and grandchildren!”
In other words, after Ernest gets away from those two dead heffas, he actually begins to LIVE! Now that’s a fiery sermon if I ever heard one!
Still nothing?
Let me translate it Bishop T.D. Jakes style:
(Shaking head up and down while walking across the stage) See, when he left what was DEAD – he began to LIVE! Uh-huh, Uh-huh, Uh, huh. When he ran away from those old death demons, the zest of life was waiting for him on the other side!
Hold my mule!
I no longer laugh when I hear that eulogy. This be me now:
Y’all – Ernest got his WHOLE life at 50! That eulogy blessed my socks off! When I first saw this movie years ago, it never really hit me. At first, I found it quite amusing that Ernest did all of these things as an “old” man. Now that I’m a few naps away from turning 50, that eulogy hit DIFFERENT-different!
I have heard people say things like this for years: “I wanted to go into psychology, but I missed my calling.” Listen!!!! There is no such thing as a missed calling! Never let age stop you from accomplishing any goal. There is an 80-year-old man who recently earned his master’s degree from Howard University! There are people in their 90s running marathons!
If there is something that you have always wanted to do but you think you have waited too late, do it anyway!
Maaaannnnn! I’m about to rock this thang like Ernest Menville, baby!
I am so excited to turn 50 I can hardly contain myself! I’m counting down the weeks, y’all. Maybe the end of this movie won’t affect you like it did me recently. But I hope you can see your future just a bit more clearly now. Above all, I hope you are also inspired to go get yours!