Better Off Dead
Assuming you are old enough to be in college, it's safe to guess that you've had a relationship that hasn't worked out like you wanted. Maybe you initiated the breakup, or, heaven forbid, the other person gave you the heave-ho. No matter what side you're on, it hurts to say goodbye. Fortunately, time has a way of sanding down rough edges of the past. Years later, the failed relationship might be a laughing matter for you and friends. Until then, watch Better Off Dead, which presents the funny side of being dumped.
Lane Meyer is obsessed with his girlfriend of six months, Beth. After he fails to make the school's ski team, she dumps him for a stereotypical jock jackass. Lane is devastated to lose what he thinks is the love of his life. Finding no way to relieve this pain, Lane decides to kill himself (hence the title). However, he changes his mind in the middle of each attempt. The comical incompetence of Lane's suicide plans saves his life each time.
Across the street, foreign-exchange student Monique is living with the socially dysfunctional Smith family. Mrs. Smith is very persistent in trying to hook up Monique and her son Ricky, the king of fat nerds. Lane is handsome and single; Monique is pretty and eager to get Ricky away from her. Will these two ever forget their own romantic failures and find each other?
Better is quirky, like a spoof. However, it lampoons the trauma of post-breakup life instead of a certain film genre. Certain situations in the movie are contrary to real life. For example, the other students in Lane's math class are thrilled to participate in class, groan at the bell, and cheer at a memorization assignment.
The supporting characters are odd, but they contribute to the comedic tone nicely. Lane's best friend is a drug-addict wannabe who snorts anything that will fit through a straw. Mrs. Meyer gives her family frozen dinners as Christmas gifts. The paperboy stalks Lane for his due delivery fee. An Asian-American peer, who learned English from watching Howard Cosell on TV, constantly challenges Lane to drag races. Lastly, Monique pretends not to know English to avoid conversing with the Smiths.
John Cusack is a good choice for the lead role. He can act seriously and produce laughs at the same time. This original brand of comedy helped some of Cusack's later films, like Say Anything, Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity, become successes.
The humor is hardly sexual or otherwise embarrassing. The comedic angle that screenwriter Savage Steve Holland uses is making you relate to all of these eccentric characters and situations. Better Off Dead is good for laughs, whether you are a dumper, a dumpee, or just someone who is in the mood for a comedy that serves its purpose.
Send any comments/ feedback to the author.
After witnessing the neighbor drink a flammable mystery liquid by mistake, you might not be thirsty for anything.
Watching Lane get over his ex with the help of the cute French foreign-exchange student won't hurt your chances with the person next to you.
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