The reported budget is 26 million, gross 160 million and 1989 domestic rank thirteenth.
Phil Collins reportedly wrote Something Happened on the Way to Heaven for the film but finished too late and released it on his album.
A dark real-life crime reportedly inspired by the film is deliberately not explained; a seventy-year sentence is mentioned.

Roger Ebert's review

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:20:11Read transcript

Ebert gave three stars and characterized it as an angry, bitter and unrelenting battle-of-the-sexes comedy.

Casting What-Ifs

Cher

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:09:28Read transcript

Cher was reportedly considered for Barbara during her late 1980 sfilm peak.

Recasting Couch

Jonathan Demme; Westchester

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:11:38Read transcript

Jonathan Demme is proposed to bring Something Wild/Rachel Getting Married energy and direct-to-camera characters.
Seattle and California are considered but challenged on community-property grounds; Westchester with a New York commute is an alternative.

What Would Tony Romo’s Director’s Commentary for This Movie Sound Like?

Romo and Collinsworth together

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:55Read transcript

Romo is initially chosen for the dog-pâté reveal, then both commentators together for the dinner sabotage.

Really Fun Deleted Scenes

Killed plants; overheated bedroom

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:15:22Read transcript

Two omitted scenes are defended: Barbara killing Oliver’s plants motivates the sawn heels, and Oliver heating her bedroom explains her late-film sweat and mutual discomfort.

Picking Nits

Revenge date; media silence; fatal fall; chandelier; neighbors; happy marriage; vehicle; dog breed

In the discussion (9)

Approx. transcript time · 01:24:14Read transcript

A revenge-date/sex scene for Barbara is wanted instead of framing scenes; possible divorce consequences and the existing Gavin attempt complicate it.
Keeping two deaths at a mansion out of newspapers seems impossible, particularly with a food critic already involved.
The drop height, delayed simultaneous deaths and surviving movement are questioned, while the ending’s dramatic perfection is defended.
The chandelier improbably supports both people before pulverizing; Oliver should release it before being pulled over.
Neighbors never intervene despite vehicular violence, repeated fires and boarded windows; self-absorption and bystander assumptions are offered as defenses.
One more happy-couple scene is desired to justify the long marriage.
The abrupt transition from passionate night to marriage lacks evidence of a happy life, though an unconsidered relationship may be the point.
Barbara’s oversized vehicle seems excessive for 1989 and modest catering earnings, but is defended as visual characterization of money and power.
Oliver’s dog should have been a dull white Labrador or unpleasant poodle rather than a personable golden retriever, prompting a bad-poodle anecdote.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Children; will; ruined house; Benny’s future

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:35:21Read transcript

The children’s immediate aftermath, wills, damaged house and future sale are questioned; another doomed owner would create a domestic Amityville/Shining sequel.
Benny’s possible new loving home is hoped for, against the joke that the survival shot was merely inserted.

Best Double Feature

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In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:36:13Read transcript

Body Heat and Fatal Attraction are proposed together as a triple feature showing both leads in erotic thrillers.
Romancing the Stone is another choice for the happier end of their partnership.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith offers similar house destruction with a happier fictional outcome.

Producer review

Deranged, imperfect fun; fatal ending preferred to framing epilogue

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:39:47Read transcript

A first viewing is enthusiastically praised as deranged, imperfect and freer than contemporary market-tested movies; the strange framing background adds a fairy-tale quality.
The fatal ending is praised but the return to DeVito’s office is criticized; the viewer paused to invite a partner and would have restarted the film.