Die, Mommie, Die! (2003)

An ex-pop singer kills her much-hated husband to be with her young lover. Her daughter plots Electra-like revenge.

Director:

Mark Rucker

Writers:

Charles Busch (play), Charles Busch (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Busch, Natasha Lyonne, Jason Priestley

4 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Busch	...	Angela Arden / Barbara Arden
Angela Paton	...	Angela's Fan
Jason Priestley	...	Tony Parker
Natasha Lyonne	...	Edith Sussman
Frances Conroy	...	Bootsie Carp
Philip Baker Hall	...	Sol Sussman
Stark Sands	...	Lance Sussman
Joshua Farrell	...	Policeman (as Josh Hutchinson)
Victor Raider-Wexler	...	Sam Fishbein
Nora Dunn	...	Shatzi Van Allen
Christopher McDaniel	...	Moving Man #1 (as Chris McDaniel)
Tom Hughes	...	Moving Man #2
Stanley DeSantis	...	Tuchman
Paul Vinson	...	Leather Daddy

Storyline

Retired singing star, Angela Arden, heads a dysfunctional family. Her husband, filmmaker Sol Sussman, hates her and has a kissy relationship with his nubile daughter, Edith. Angela carries on an affair with Tony Parker, a lounge lizard, who sleeps with both Edith and her brother, Lance, but not before Angela plots to murder Sol when he cuts off her allowance. Bootsie Carp, the family maid loyal to Sol, is on to Angela, but the diva works quickly and poisons Sol. Edith suspects foul play and wants Lance's help in proving mom's guilt. Lance, who loves his mother deeply, is conflicted. Will Edith succeed? Does love lurk somewhere? And what about Angela's long dead sister, Barbara?

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | reference to halloween | camp | love | singing | 

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Taglines:

Hollywood...It's a dirty town but someone has to do it!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, language and a drug scene

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the flashback scene where Angela signs with RCA records, she is flanked by two RCA executives. These executives were played by two of the film's producers, Anthony Edwards (on the right in the glasses) and Dante Di Loreto (on the left.)

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Goofs

Movie is set in 1967 but Angela sings the Blood, Sweat & Tears hit "Spinning Wheel" which was not released until 1969.

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Quotes

Angela Arden: [Back at the house after the funeral for Sol] Bootsie, remove some of these floral tributes. They're wilting and I can't bear to be surrounded by more death.
Bootsie Carp: I think I'll put some of these petals in the pages of my bible.
Angela Arden: As you wish.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, there is silent black and white footage of Angela christening a ship.

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Connections

References Queen Bee (1955)

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Soundtracks

The Salt and Pepper Polka
Music by Dick Gallagher
Lyrics by Dick Gallagher & Charles Busch
Vocals by Ruth Williamson

User Reviews

TOUR DE FORCE for 60's Hollywood Send Up

Very humorous, always campy tale of aging star whose parade has long since skipped off down the road. (Yes, shades of SUNSET BOULEVARD, to be sure). Charles Busch brings his stage drama/comedy/what have you to the big screen, and it's a pretty enjoyable romp, at that. Throw in some great performances by Jason Priestley, in his stingy brim hat, shorts and occasional penny loafers; looking like a rich Tab Hunter, or a poor Peter Lawford, you choose, between snickers. Philip Baker Hall (a great dramatic actor, with a superb nose for comedy), is a standout. Natasha Lyonne as Edith, the daughter and Stark Sands as the sexually confused (or is HE?) son, and you've got the makings for some nostalgic, and yet irreverent fun. Frances Conroy is also a standout for her folksy, Southern, religious demeanor, as the maid, Bootsy. Without ruining it for you, essentially DIE, MOMMIE, DIE! is a tip of the hat to the late sixties movies where happy mom's were popping valium, terms like "baby" punctuated every third word in a sentence, and the thought of having a gigolo on the side didn't seem so remote. Of course, this doesn't take place in Nebraska, naturally it's Tinseltown. People there were so desperate to be hip (have times changed too much? Hmmmm.) and nobody dared to be square. You'll find others nods, winks and tips of the hat throughout, if you're a film buff, and if not, you'll still have a great time. Busch, who wrote the original stage play and this screenplay, stars in the lead, and does it with relish. This is a labor of love, and it shows. An enjoyable little indie, indeed. Recommended.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die, Mommie, Die!

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$54,129, 2 November 2003

Gross USA:

$320,092

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$320,092

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aviator Films, Bill Kenwright Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White