How to Beat the High Cost of Living
| How to Beat the High Cost of Living | |
|---|---|
How to Beat the High Cost of Living film poster
|
|
| Directed by | Robert Scheerer |
| Produced by |
Robert Kaufman Jerome M. Zeitman Bernard G. Wilens |
| Written by |
Robert Kaufman Leonora Thung |
| Starring |
Jane Curtin Susan Saint James Jessica Lange Richard Benjamin Fred Willard |
| Music by | Patrick Williams |
| Cinematography | James Crabe |
| Edited by | Bill Butler |
| Distributed by |
Filmways Pictures American International Pictures |
|
Release date
|
July 11, 1980 |
|
Running time
|
105 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $7,500,000 |
How to Beat the High Cost of Living is a 1980 American comedy film starring Jane Curtin, Susan Saint James and Jessica Lange. Also in the cast are Dabney Coleman, Fred Willard, Richard Benjamin, Eddie Albert, Cathryn Damon, and a cameo by Jane Curtin's fellow Saturday Night Live co-star Garrett Morris. The movie was released in summer of 1980, grossing approximately US $7.5 million.
Jane (Susan Saint James), Elaine (Jane Curtin), and Louise (Jessica Lange) are suburbanites in Eugene, Oregon. These three women, friends since high school, are currently all struggling with money.
Jane is divorced, trying to cope with the man she is dating, Robert (Fred Willard), her newly single father (Eddie Albert), who moves in with Jane after his wife leaves him for another woman, and her young children, who need dental work. Jane learns she is pregnant, which makes Robert unhappy since both he and Jane are nearly broke.
Elaine's husband, an architect, has left her for a younger woman. He has also left her with no money, no credit cards, and lots of bills, all of which are very overdue, leading to a scene with a man at the power company (Garrett Morris). Depressed, she gets drunk and her car is pulled over by police officer Jack (Dabney Coleman). Elaine makes a pass at him, trying to get out of the ticket. When he accepts, then reveals he is married, Elaine smacks him with her purse. She makes it clear that if she is arrested by Jack, her one phone call will be to his wife.
Louise owns an antiques store. Unfortunately, it's not a very successful operation, so she is always accepting funds from her veterinarian husband (Richard Benjamin) to keep the store open. While they are in bed one evening, in the early process of making love, the doorbell rings. Louise is served a court order and learns her husband plans on suing her to force her into bankruptcy to wipe away the enormous debt she has incurred.
...
Wikipedia