Customer Reviews

The Incredible Shrinking Woman

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The Incredible Shrinking Woman came out in 1981 and the movie actually more or less reflected the consumerist attitudes of the time, the dawning of the Reagan administration. The movie wasn't too well liked by the critics, they thought that Lily Tomlin didn't give it her full here and that the script was simply so-so, but actually I thought the movie makes perfect sense. Here Lily Tomlin plays a housewife named Pat Kramer who starts to shink thanks to an intolerance of chemicals in her household items. What was really silly of the film was the gorilla, because it wasn't a real gorilla at all but a person in a gorilla suit. Anyway, this movie is basically a satire on Reagan-era American consumerism and materialism, and I think they did a good job at getting that message across, regardless what the movie critics said of it. Lily Tomlin might be a fine comedienne, but it's too bad that her movie output has been rather inconsistent, ranging from critically acclaimed and well liked films like Nashville (w/Henry Gibson, like Tomlin, a Laugh-In alumni, and Keith Carradine) and All of Me (w/Steve Martin) to total stinkers and box office bombs like Moment by Moment (w/John Travolta). And while the Incredible Shrinking Woman was thought of by the critics as another misguided adventure by Lily Tomlin, it's really a lot better than the critics will let you believe, so give it a watch.

I've always been a huge fan of this movie and can't understand why it has been treated so badly. It has a knockout cast with Charles Grodin and Ned Beatty. This "restored" version is pieced together from the tapes television studios received and not from the original film. You can see the size of the grain change throughout the film and the beginning is so bad it's not even VHS quality. Most scenes are VHS quality.

The kicker is that Edith Ann has been completely removed from the film. What you will receive here is a butchered version of the film. That said, it's great to be able to see this movie again since I don't have a VCR. I have never had to give a 5 star movie 2 stars and this is the only case I have ever seen where the DVD is actually worse than the VHS tape.

I too was delighted when I discovered that this great film was finally getting a DVD release. Like one other reviewer has stated, it is widescreen, and the quality of the picture and sound is worlds better than any previous home video release. Unfortunately, this release, like all previous ones, does NOT include any of the scenes with Edith-Ann. I was hoping for the complete movie, with ALL scenes intact.
Nonetheless, this is still an excellent addition to anyone's library and a brilliant film as well.

Having loved this movie for years, I was delighted to find that the Universal Vault Series was releasing it finally on DVD but what a complete rip off, rarely have I seen such an awful print. I did not expect it to be remastered but this is barely watchable, not even of VHS quality. I think Amazon should check this release before more fans of this movie get completley ripped off ! I am sure that the "Incredible" Star, Lily Tomlin would "shrink" in disbelief at Universal for releasing her movie in this sorry state!!

Edith Ann has been completely removed from this version of the film. No animal crackers, no hamster lady... no reason to watch the movie. Lame.

Movies like this come along as often as pearls in clams, really they do. This movie is actually more of a drama with slapstick mixed in. To this day I stand by what I've said for a long time, Lily Tomlin is overlooked for her abilities outside of her comedic straightjacket. This film is so childishly humorous, and at the same time very saddening. In the end, you feel all warm all over and are really satisfied. Unfortuantely, one of the other reviews below reveals the ending, but oh well, just try not to look at that if you don't want to know. This is an essential movie, and you should try to locate it in the video store or here on Amazon if it becomes available again. Excellent movie, you will not regret a single penny you spend on it.

This is a good movie. Lily Tomlin is awesome as usual. But scenes have been cut from this DVD ( Edith Ann ) and that ruins the entire movie for me. I paid for the original ( in full ) movie and I get this chopped up version. Total rip-off! When it came to the point in the movie for Edith Anns scenes and I realized that they had been edited out I turned the movie off and I will most likely never watch it again. It is NOT the original Incredible Shrinking Woman, it's now the Incredible Shrinking Movie...

Lily Tomlin is hilarious as a housewife whose normal life turns not so normal when she mysteriously begins shrinking. This causes havoc upon herself, her family and even the maid. Lily is hilarious and even though I cannot stand Charles Grodin he fits his role perfect. The maid Consquelo and the kids are also well acted. Tomlin does at least 3 characters. Pat Kramer, Judith (The next door neighbor and Edith Ann. Although the part of Edith Ann is taken out of some versions. Leaves room for a sequel and if the producers are reading this MAKE A SEQUEL!!!!!!! Hilarious and recommended!!!!!!

This is a great Lily Tomlin film, and they butchered it to the worst.They need to add Edith character back, and make sure the film is not cut.This film needs another release, uncut fan edition release in high quality in widescreen.I stop supporting, buying films when companys censor or change things etc..Enough is Enough..release a great uncut version!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While this DVD has no bells and whistles - it's just the movie, no bonus features or anything, it's still awesome.

Lily Tomlin is a comedic genius, playing the lead and a side character. I watched this movie twenty years ago as a child and thought the message about chemicals being toxic was scary then and even more so now! It's interesting how pertinant the subject matter is.

That being said, this movie is pure entertainment. We watched it as a family and both my husband and son were interested throughout. My son was delighted when Lily Tomlin gets so tiny that she lives in the kids Barbie dollhouse.

THe supporting cast is excellent as well as the kids. Joel Schumacher does an excellent job directing. Warning: the song, "I wish I was a little bar of soap" will get stuck in your head and make you smile.

Enjoy a classic that is both laugh out loud funny and thought provoking. Surely a conversation starter at the dinner table.