The Incredible Shrinking Woman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A suburban housewife shrinks due to excessive use of household products and is then chased by evil scientists who want to shrink the whole world because… reasons.

🍿 The Incredible Shrinking Woman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Suburban Nightmare Begins

Pat Kramer, a typical suburban housewife, finds her life turned upside down after being exposed to a cocktail of household chemicals. This exposure leads to a bizarre condition: she begins to shrink. At first, it’s just a slight change, but it quickly becomes apparent that something extraordinary is happening.

Becoming a Media Sensation

As Pat shrinks, her story becomes a national sensation. She captures the hearts of the American public, but also attracts unwanted attention. A nefarious group seeks to exploit her condition for their own sinister purposes, plotting to shrink the world for their own gain.

Kidnapped and Imprisoned

Pat is eventually kidnapped and held in a secret underground lab, where scientists plan to extract her blood to create a “shrink serum.” Here, she meets Sidney, an intelligent gorilla, who becomes her unlikely ally in her escape attempt. This section introduces elements of adventure and suspense.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pat Kramer (Lily Tomlin): A suburban housewife who begins to shrink due to exposure to household chemicals, becoming both a celebrity and a target of sinister forces.
• Vance Kramer (Charles Grodin): Pat’s husband and an advertising executive who initially prioritizes his career over his wife’s bizarre condition.
• Dan Beame (Ned Beatty): Vance’s boss, who is also secretly involved in a plot to exploit Pat’s condition for world domination.
• Dr. Eugene Nortz (Henry Gibson): A scientist working for the Organization for World Management, who conducts experiments on Pat in a scheme for global control.
• Rob (Mark Blankfield): A lab assistant who initially believes Pat is a clone, but eventually helps her escape after learning the truth.
• Sidney (Rick Baker): An intelligent and friendly gorilla who befriends Pat in the lab and aids in her escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dan Beame: “Arrest this man. Trust me.” – Dan, realizing his involvement in the evil plot, surrenders himself to the police, hinting at his guilt.
• Pat Kramer: “You don’t really need me to tell you what’s wrong with the world.” – Pat, now tiny and about to vanish, delivers this message about the dangers of unchecked consumerism.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $20,259,961
• Worldwide Gross: $20,259,961

💥 The Incredible Shrinking Woman Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being both terrified and fascinated! Lily Tomlin is hilarious, especially when she’s interacting with the oversized props. The scene where she falls into the garbage disposal gave me nightmares. It’s definitely a product of its time, but it’s a fun, quirky film with a surprisingly relevant message about consumerism. I think it’s great for a nostalgic movie night, especially if you grew up in the 80s. It’s a little cheesy, but I find it charming. I also loved the gorilla character, Sidney. The ending with Pat growing but then her shoe bursting was so funny. My daughters enjoyed it very much!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Lily Tomlin’s comedy”
  • “Viewers interested in 80s sci-fi comedies”
  • “Those who enjoy satirical films about consumerism”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes of peril”
  • “Brief moments of cartoonish violence”
  • “Satirical depiction of societal issues”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While Lily Tomlin shines in her multiple roles, the film’s satire on consumerism feels a bit heavy-handed. The special effects are charmingly retro, but the humor is hit-or-miss, resulting in a mixed bag of laughs and social commentary.
• Variety: “Joel Schumacher’s directorial debut is a visually striking but narratively uneven comedy. The film’s concept is intriguing, but the execution lacks finesse, and the pacing drags in the second half. Tomlin’s comedic timing is undeniable, but the script doesn’t always do her justice.
• RogerEbert.com: “The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a flawed but fascinating film, with a sharp wit and a quirky charm. While the movie doesn’t always succeed in its social commentary, it remains an entertaining showcase for Lily Tomlin’s comedic talent and her ability to bring depth to her characters.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Lily Tomlin’s multiple roles, showcasing her incredible comedic range.: Most viewers appreciated the film’s satirical take on consumerism, even if it felt a bit dated.

Many enjoyed the special effects for their time, especially the scenes with oversized props.: People found the movie to be a fun, lighthearted comedy, despite its flaws.

Overall Consensus: A quirky and entertaining comedy with a sharp satire on consumerism, buoyed by Lily Tomlin’s exceptional performance. Though flawed, it remains a nostalgic and enjoyable watch.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This was Joel Schumacher’s directorial debut for a theatrical feature film.”
• “Lily Tomlin plays multiple roles in the film, showcasing her versatility as a comedic actress.”
• “Rick Baker, the special effects makeup artist, not only created the gorilla suit but also played the character of Sidney the gorilla himself.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Incredible Shrinking Woman?

As a classic film, “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” is available through various streaming and rental services. Check platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Additionally, keep an eye on cable and satellite providers for potential airings. Check Peacock TV for possible streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Incredible Shrinking Woman, you might like these similar films:

• The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957): Original source material and similar concept of a person shrinking.
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989): Family-friendly sci-fi comedy with shrinking as a central theme, though with a different cause and more focus on adventure.
• Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958): A woman grows to giant size after an alien encounter, similar body horror theme and playing on gendered anxieties, but in reverse.

🛒 The Incredible Shrinking Woman Related Products

• The Incredible Shrinking Woman [Blu-ray]: Experience the classic comedy on Blu-ray with enhanced picture and sound quality. Relive the hilarity of Lily Tomlin’s performance and the film’s quirky charm. Great for collectors and fans of 80s comedies.
• Lily Tomlin: The Mark Twain Prize: Enjoy Lily Tomlin’s stand-up comedy and sketches, showcasing her comedic genius. Perfect for fans who want to see more of her brilliant performances and sharp wit. A collection of her most hilarious characters and routines.
• Funko Pop! Lily Tomlin – The Incredible Shrinking Woman: A limited-edition Funko Pop! figure of Lily Tomlin as Pat Kramer. A must-have for collectors and fans of the movie. Display it proudly and show your love for this iconic character.
• The Incredible Shrinking Woman: Movie Poster Print: Add a touch of retro flair to your home decor with this high-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for movie buffs and fans of 80s cinema. A vibrant piece of art that captures the film’s unique style.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Incredible Shrinking Woman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Galaxy Glue” – performed by Linda November

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Incredible Shrinking Woman – Galaxy Glue (FULL SONG) by Linda November

Remember that catchy Galaxy Glue jingle from ‘The Incredible Shrinking Woman’? Well, here’s the full song! It’s so cheesy, but I bet you’ll be singing it for the rest of the day.

✨ Rate