This was a tough one, just some of the films missing out include, Back to the Future, Badlands, Bambi, Barton Fink, Batman Begins, Battle Royale, Being John Malkovich, Bigger Than Life, The Big Lebowski, The Big Sleep, Black Narcissus, Blade Runner (Director's Cut), Blue Velvet and Boys Don't Cry.
B - Beetle Juice (1988)
Director Tim Burton
Cast: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Glenn Shadix, Sylvia Sidney, Annie McEnroe.
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Review: There was a small spell during the late 80s and early 90s where the king of main stream Goth Tim Burton had the promise of becoming one of the great directors of his era. Films such as the odd black comedy Ed Wood (1994), the powerful gothic romance Edward Scissorhands (1991) and this madcap gem showed signs of originality which breathed new life into the genre.
The premise of Beetle Juice not only has fun with many tradition of the old fashioned Gothic tropes, but also examines ideas of life after death. What is impressive is the way Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson's script presents the after life as a place of work where business has to run as normal, except in this world the freaks are treated as part of furniture.
The other novel aspect of this is how it details the process of the central couple the Maitlands learning they are dead, coming to accept and then dealling with it, as well as the problem of scarring away the horrible family taking up residency and destroying their much loved home. There is a fine mix of black comedy, such as the gag that the Deetzes are mad themselves that they don't believe that the house could be haunted or if they do treat it as part of its appeal. There is a sentimental side too, for example the tender relationship the Maitlands have with the outcast daughter of the family, which is key in keeping the viewer invested in the characters, as well their dilemma of choosing between life without the Deetzes or just learning to live with them. It is also interesting than the couple don't have children of their own.
Of course things really kick into high gear once the outlawed Ghost of the title is finally released from the underworld by the desperate couple, a choice they soon regret. The grotesque, but unpredictable Beetle Juice is given an OTT charasmantic ejection of life by Keaton who used this as his break through role. Note only does the actor nail the slap stick, comic nature of the character, but also makes him into a rather cool anti-hero who can also be seen as enough of a threat. It also helps that this moment doesn't take place until half way through, up until then the viewer has just had the odd snipit of him, as a result the novity value of the character is protected and this feels like a more important scene, after which the film feels like a runner coaster ride of dramatic set pieces and visual flair.
The casting is pretty spot on, althrough Alec Baldwin seems a bit miscast as the subdued Adam, meanwhile Geena Davis is delightful as his sweet, but spirited wife Barbara. Like the director Ryder never lived up to her early promise but she is excellent as the confused Lydia and actually steals some of the best lines from Keaton, "My whole life is a dark room, one big dark room". O' Hara, Sidney and Shadix also produce much fun.
Danny Elfman provides one of his most dramatic, stirring scores to date.
Rating: 9/10
Tagline: The Name in Laughter from the Hereafter
Favourite Scene: That Dinner Table one!
Quote/unquote:
Adam: "Can you be scary?"
Beetle Juice: "I am a gradate of havard, have travelled extensively, lived through the black plaque, had a pretty good time doing that, I have seen the Exorcist 167 times, AND IT KEEPS GETTING FUNNIER EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE IT! Not to mention the fact you are talking to a dead guy here, now what do you think?"
