What a Way to Go! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman keeps accidentally marrying men who become rich and die in increasingly ridiculous ways, so she tries to give all the money back to the government, who are like, ‘Nah, we’re good.’

🍿 What a Way to Go!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Multi-Million Dollar Donation

The film opens with Louisa May Foster, a woman drowning in wealth, attempting to donate a staggering $211 million to the IRS. Understandably, the tax department is bewildered and suspects she’s mentally unstable. They refer her to a psychiatrist, Dr. Victor Stephanson, to understand the root of her extreme generosity.

Marriage to Edgar Hopper: The Simple Life Gone Awry

Louisa recounts her first marriage to Edgar Hopper, a humble store owner who espoused a simple, Thoreau-esque lifestyle. Initially content with their modest existence, Edgar is spurred by a rival and transforms his small shop into a booming business empire. However, his relentless pursuit of success consumes him, leading to his untimely demise through exhaustion.

Marriage to Larry Flint: Artistic Madness and Mechanical Mayhem

Next, Louisa marries Larry Flint, a struggling American artist in Paris who creates paintings using sound-operated machines. They find happiness in poverty until Larry’s art gains recognition. As his fame rises, Larry becomes obsessed with his work, ignoring Louisa and driving his machines to create even more art, which results in the machines turning on him.

Marriage to Rod Anderson: Maple Syrup and Over-the-Top Extravagance

Louisa then marries Rod Anderson, a wealthy maple syrup tycoon. Initially, he promises her a simple life on the farm, but soon becomes consumed by maintaining and expanding his business empire. His success leads to a lifestyle of excess and ultimately, a bizarre accident involving a prize-winning bull.

Marriage to Pinky Benson: A Star is Born, A Life is Trampled

Finally, Louisa marries Pinky Benson, a small-time nightclub performer. He becomes a massive star, performing in wildly popular musicals that result in his fans acting out in the streets. As Pinky’s celebrity status grows, he is trampled to death by his adoring fans.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Louisa May Foster (Shirley MacLaine): A woman who desires a simple life but repeatedly marries men who become wealthy and die prematurely.
• Larry Flint (Paul Newman): A bohemian painter in Paris who invents a machine that converts sound into oil paintings, achieving great success and wealth.
• Rod Anderson, Jr. (Robert Mitchum): A wealthy maple syrup tycoon who desires the simple life down on the farm but meets an untimely demise.
• Pinky Benson (Gene Kelly): A nightclub singer who becomes a famous movie star and meets an unfortunate end due to his fame.
• Edgar Hopper (Dick Van Dyke): A humble businessman who transforms into a workaholic merchant prince, acquiring wealth but losing his simple life.
• Dr. Victor Stephanson (Robert Cummings): A psychiatrist to whom Louisa recounts her marital history and attempts to understand her string of unfortunate events.
• Leonard ‘Lennie’ Crawley (Dean Martin): A playboy, who in the end, is the one that Louisa ends up with.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Louisa May Foster: “All I ever wanted was the simple life.” – Louisa’s recurring lament, expressing her desire for a modest life despite her string of wealthy and ill-fated husbands.
• Rod Anderson, Jr.: “I’m reminding you to remind me to tell you that I love you.” – Said by Robert Mitchum’s character, satirizing the shallow affection of the super-rich.
• Larry Flint: “Money corrupts. Art erupts.” – Paul Newman’s character’s pseudo-intellectual musing on art and commerce.
• Pinky Benson: “I’m the stuff their dreams are made of.” – Gene Kelly’s character’s self-important declaration, parodying the ego of a Hollywood star.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 What a Way to Go! Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! Shirley MacLaine is hilarious, and the way they parody different film genres is so clever. The scene with Paul Newman as the tortured artist made me laugh until I cried. It’s a bit over-the-top, but that’s part of its charm. The fashion is incredible, and I kept rewinding just to see the costumes again. If you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted, this is it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Hollywood comedies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate satire and parody”
  • “Those interested in films with extravagant costumes and set designs”
  • “Shirley MacLaine fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild innuendo”
  • “Comedic depictions of death”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A wildly extravagant and ultimately uneven comedy. MacLaine shines in her comedic performance, showcasing her versatility. However, the episodic nature and reliance on broad humor may not appeal to all viewers.
• N/A: “This film is a frothy, harmless, yet beautiful film that rarely gets made today. The real star, however, apart from MacLaine, is the eye-popping, jaw-dropping parade of costumes and wigs. Some are breathtakingly glamorous, some are atrociously eye-assaulting, but they really steal the show, especially during the Mitchum sequence.

Audience Reactions

Viewers adored Shirley MacLaine’s comedic timing and her ability to carry the entire film.: The creative costumes, exaggerated set designs, and unique vignettes were loved and remembered.

Overall Consensus: A campy, over-the-top comedy with a stellar cast that provides visually stunning sets and costumes but may not appeal to viewers who dislike over-the-top silliness.

Awards

1. Laurel Awards (Top Female Comedy Performance)- 1965

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally intended as a vehicle for Marilyn Monroe, but after her death in 1962, Shirley MacLaine was cast in the lead role.”
• “Edith Head designed over 70 costumes for Shirley MacLaine in the film, showcasing a wide array of extravagant and eye-catching outfits.”
• “The film’s structure is episodic, with each of Louisa’s marriages presented as a parody of a different movie genre, including silent films, French art films, and Hollywood musicals.”

🖥️ How to Watch What a Way to Go!?

Currently, ‘What a Way to Go!’ is not widely available on major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. However, you can often find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Check your preferred digital retailer for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed What a Way to Go!, you might like these similar films:

• Down with Love (2003): A modern homage to the bright, colorful comedies of the 1960s, sharing a similar sensibility and comedic style.
• How to Marry a Millionaire (1953): A classic comedy about women scheming to marry wealthy men, offering a similar blend of humor and social commentary.
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953): A musical comedy about two gold diggers finding rich husbands. Lots of style and iconic musical numbers
• The Fortune Cookie (1966): A dark comedy exploring greed and opportunism, with Walter Matthau scheming to exploit an injury for financial gain.

🛒 What a Way to Go! Related Products

• What a Way to Go! [Blu-ray]: Experience the glamorous world of ‘What a Way to Go!’ in stunning high definition, bringing out the vibrant colors and intricate costume design for a visual feast.
• Edith Head: The 50+ Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer: Explore the life and work of legendary costume designer Edith Head, who created the iconic looks in ‘What a Way to Go!’.
• Paul Newman: A Life: Dive deep into the life and career of Paul Newman and his unique role in What a Way to Go!

🎧 Soundtrack

What a Way to Go! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Think that You and I Should Get Acquainted” – performed by Gene Kelly

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Gowns by Edith Head

Wow, these gowns are absolutely stunning! Edith Head really outdid herself. You HAVE to see the incredible costumes Shirley MacLaine gets to wear in this film!

[1]A husband promises his wife to be poor forever but becomes the richest man in the world!#shorts

Need a quick plot summary before diving into this movie? This short recap gives you the gist in under a minute! Sounds crazy, right? You gotta check it out.

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