She-Devil Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Dumped housewife Roseanne blows up her house, gives her kids to Meryl Streep, and then gets rich by helping other women get jobs… all to get back at her cheating husband, maybe?

🍿 She-Devil: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Unhappy Housewife

Ruth Patchett is an unappreciated and frumpy housewife struggling to please her ambitious accountant husband, Bob. She attempts to support him, but his behavior makes the struggle difficult. Bob is increasingly distant and spends more time at the office, leaving Ruth feeling neglected and insecure in their suburban home.

The Affair Begins

At a work event, Bob meets Mary Fisher, a wealthy and successful romance novelist. Instantly smitten, Bob begins an affair with Mary, neglecting his wife and children further. Ruth suspects the affair but is initially unsure how to confront Bob or handle the situation. Mary, used to getting what she wants, enjoys the attention from Bob and doesn’t consider the impact on Ruth’s life.

Bob’s Declaration and Ruth’s Plan

During a disastrous dinner with Bob’s parents, the tension explodes. Bob publicly humiliates Ruth and declares that his most valued assets are his house, family, career, and freedom. He then leaves Ruth for Mary, calling her a ‘She-Devil’. Enraged, Ruth writes down Bob’s assets and vows to systematically destroy each one, embarking on a mission of revenge.

The Destruction Begins

Ruth begins her plan by setting fire to their house, ensuring the destruction of Bob’s first asset. She then drops their children off at Mary’s opulent mansion, disrupting their idyllic lifestyle. Ruth then adopts a new identity and secures a job at a nursing home where Mary’s mother resides, setting in motion a series of events to dismantle Bob and Mary’s lives piece by piece.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ruth Patchett (Roseanne Barr): The resourceful and determined housewife who seeks revenge on her cheating husband by systematically destroying his assets.
• Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep): The successful and narcissistic romance novelist who becomes entangled in an affair with Ruth’s husband.
• Bob Patchett (Ed Begley Jr.): The ambitious and unfaithful accountant whose affair with Mary Fisher sparks Ruth’s vengeful plan.
• Hooper (Linda Hunt): A downtrodden nurse who becomes Ruth’s unlikely partner in crime and business venture.
• Olivia Honey (Maria Pitillo): A young and attractive woman hired by Ruth to seduce Bob as part of her revenge scheme.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bob: “I have four assets I hold dear: My house, my family, my career, and my freedom to enjoy them.” – Bob lists his assets while leaving Ruth, inadvertently giving her the blueprint for her revenge.
• Bob: “When it comes to liabilities, I only have one: Ruth herself!” – Bob’s insult solidifies Ruth’s resolve to get revenge, transforming her into the ‘She-Devil’.
• Mary Fisher: “You’re still the butler–so get to work!” – Mary Fisher’s demeaning remark to Garcia shows her privileged and demanding nature.
• Garcia: “I may be the butler, but I’m NOT the maid!” – Garcia’s response to Mary highlights the class tensions and his refusal to be further demeaned.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $15,351,421
• Worldwide Gross: $15,351,421

💥 She-Devil Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being mesmerized by Meryl Streep’s performance. She was so different from her usual dramatic roles, and I loved seeing her let loose and be funny. Roseanne Barr was great too, but Streep stole the show. It’s a campy and silly movie, but the kind that sticks with you, especially the over-the-top character of Meryl Streep as romance novelist Mary Fisher. It’s definitely a fun watch if you don’t take it too seriously.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories of female empowerment”
  • “Those interested in 1980s/1990s comedic films”
  • “People who appreciate Meryl Streep’s diverse roles”
  • “Viewers interested in movies about revenge”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Destruction of property”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Implied animal death”

Professional Reviews

• FandomWire: “Meryl Streep’s range is phenomenal, and in ‘She-Devil,’ she showcases her comedic timing perfectly. She’s not afraid to poke fun at the romance novel persona. Streep brings the character of Mary Fisher to life with just the right amount of over-the-top flair.
• N/A: “Some viewers found the humor in “She-Devil” to be a bit uneven. While Meryl Streep’s over-the-top portrayal of romance novelist Mary Fisher was widely praised for its comedic brilliance, other elements of the film were viewed as less successful. The film’s attempt at black comedy may not resonate with all audiences.

Audience Reactions

Meryl Streep’s comedic timing and commitment to her over-the-top character are highly praised.: Viewers celebrate Streep’s willingness to embrace such a different role and deliver a memorable comedic performance.

The film’s overall tone and uneven humor are aspects some viewers found disappointing.: While Streep’s performance is a highlight, some found the movie’s dark humor and character portrayals not universally appealing.

Overall Consensus: ‘She-Devil’ is a campy revenge comedy that is mostly remembered for Meryl Streep’s hilarious and over-the-top performance, but it has some unevenness in its dark humor.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)- 1990

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Meryl Streep was initially considered for the role of Ruth, but she chose to play Mary Fisher due to similarities between Ruth’s character and Streep’s role in ‘A Cry in the Dark’.”
• “The film is based on the novel ‘The Life and Loves of a She-Devil’ by Fay Weldon.”
• “Several user reviews stated that filming, cinematography and editing of this movie is outstanding, as well as the musical contribution, e.g. the opening titles and the introduction of Ruth – it sure does follow the general irony of the story in a great way.”

🖥️ How to Watch She-Devil?

She-Devil is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable availability. Unfortunately it is not currently available for streaming on subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, but check for updates.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed She-Devil, you might like these similar films:

• Ruthless People (1986): Both are dark comedies about revenge, with a spouse taking extreme measures against their partner.
• The First Wives Club (1996): Features scorned wives banding together to get revenge on their cheating husbands.
• Death Becomes Her (1992): Stars Meryl Streep and is also a black comedy with over-the-top performances and dark humor.
• 9 to 5 (1980): Features women fighting back against a misogynistic boss, capturing the late 70’s, early 80’s era.

🛒 She-Devil Related Products

• She-Devil [DVD]: Own the 1989 cult classic that stars Meryl Streep, Roseanne Barr and Ed Begley, Jr. See the story of a woman scorned, her revenge plan and a comedy of errors.
• Mary Fisher’s Romance Novels – The Complete Collection (Kindle Edition): Experience the world of Mary Fisher’s romance novels. Download and read a selection of steamy and scandalous tales by romance novelists.
• She-Devil: The Board Game of Revenge: A board game where players strategically sabotage their rivals’ lives to emerge victorious. Includes event cards and character pieces representing Ruth, Bob, and Mary.
• Limited Edition ‘She-Devil’ Movie Poster: A high-quality, glossy movie poster featuring the original theatrical artwork. Each poster is individually numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

🎧 Soundtrack

She-Devil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tied Up” – performed by Yello

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Shocking True Story Behind Chicago (2002)

Did you know ‘Chicago’ was based on real events? This video dives into the shocking true stories that inspired Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, and Billy Flynn! I found the real-life inspirations surprisingly dark, you’ve gotta check it out.

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