BEETLEJUICE (1988): A Retro Review

Introduction 

Tim Burton stands as one of the most prolific and creative filmmakers in modern American history. Just three years after his feature-length directorial debut, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, released in 1985, Beetlejuice (1988) hit the silver screen, thus marking the first of four home runs for this incredible director.

Thirty-five years after it first hit theaters, Beetlejuice continues to amaze audiences with its creative spin on the comedy genre. It also marked the first film in which we are fully introduced to Burton’s unique style of gothic flair. The film was aided by a stellar cast including Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, and Alec Baldwin. Beetlejuice carries the perfect combination of elements that allows it to instantly etch itself among timeless cult classics.

Synopsis

Beetlejuice is about a young, beautiful couple, Adam (Baldwin) and Barbara (Davis), who are indulging in a staycation in their gorgeous country home. They are adorably in love and represent an ideal couple in the prime of their lives. Unfortunately, their time among the living is cut short by a car accident.

They soon find themselves in the afterlife, as ghosts trapped within their beloved home. Enter the Deetz family. An eccentric urban family, consisting of a married couple, Delia and Charles, and their gothy and depressed teenage daughter, Lydia. Along for the ride is their gay interior decorator, Otho, deliciously played by Glenn Shadix.

The Cast

Delia, played by the fabulous Catherine O’Hara, is a scene-stealer. She’s tremendous as the spoiled wife turned artist who is always accompanied by the flamboyant and equally self-important Otho. Charles, performed by character actor, Jeffrey Jones, has purchased this country home to escape the stress of the city.

Delia is not thrilled with this move, and quickly takes to action. Planning a vigorous remodeling of the quaint house. Adam and Barbara are horrified by the prospect of having their treasured home ruined. In an interesting twist, Lydia, played by then-rising star Winona Ryder, can see the dead couple, and they develop an instant friendship.

Desperate to get their home back, Adam and Barbara enlist a mischievous demon, Betelguese (Keaton) and trouble begins. Keaton is sensational and plants his feet as a versatile comedian. He offers audiences a very different performance from his previous roles in Mr. Mom (1983) and Night Shift (1982).

Analysis

As a genre-bender that splices in elements of fantasy and horror, Beetlejuice stands more firmly as a comedy. The witty writing and unique story are worthy of praise. The film is full of iconic one-liners and memorable sequences that made it wildly popular.

Grossing over $80 million worldwide on a $15 million budget, the success of Beetlejuice gave Burton the clout to take on Batman (1989), with Keaton in tow. That film also saw superstars Kim Basinger and Jack Nicholson joining the cast. Beetlejuice represents an important part of Burton’s ramp-up as a director to take seriously. It also gave him full validation to use his signature visual style with abandon.

The Score

This continued amalgam of goth with an ethereal beauty that trademarks his work is again showcased in Edward Scissorhands (1990), just a few years later. Beetlejuice also solidifies Burton’s lifelong collaboration with Danny Elfman as his go-to composer. The instrumental portions of the soundtrack stand alone as magical.

The strange additions of ‘The Banana Boat Song’ (Day-O) and ‘Jump in the Line’ (Shake Senora) by Harry Belafonte (Jump in the Line was originally composed by Lord Kitchener) add to the unexpected novelty of the film, as well as being something catchy to hum after viewing.

Technically, Beetlejuice offers solid cinematography and a boatload of practical effects, including claymation, puppetry, hand-made costumes, and DIY props. It’s a marvel when one considers the risk of its entire concept, As well as the amazing cohesiveness that one feels upon viewing.

Even the outlandish scenes with sandworms on Saturn don’t feel out of place. Despite the fact that it’s not making any sense in the scope of the film. It’s something that’s simply accepted by the audience. Because in the end, it works on that imaginative level that begs the question, “Why not?”

Conclusion

Adventurous and playful as it dances around the ironies of life and the afterlife, Beetlejuice is a timeless film. It’s an experiment of, and a testament to, the wondrous possibilities when one explores the creations that come straight from the imagination. Beautiful, hideous, heart-warming, and hilarious, it’s a timeless classic of a film about how life can be a stranger quirk than death and what adventures might begin when you least expect them.

Editor’s Note–Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Beetlejuice can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV. Beetlejuice – the musical, recently completed a successful five-year run on Broadway. Warner Brothers Pictures announced that Beetlejuice 2 will be released theatrically on September 6, 2024. The film will see Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara all returning to reprise their roles. 

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