Meryl Streep was renowned for what she admits are tearful parts. Until producers, critics and public begged her (like Garbo eons ago) to swap tears for laughter. In her surprise Christmas treat “Death Becomes Her” – from Roger Rabbit’s Robert Zemeckis – the double Oscar-winner achieves immortality thanks to a magic potion from, ironically, the face of Lancome cosmetics, Isabella Rossellini… And, it must be admitted, an extra paint job on her chassis from Bruce Willis. No matter what happens to Meryl – and her arch-rival Goldie Hawn – they may fall to pieces but they cannot die. As Madeline and Helen – “Mad” and “Hell”! – they become the living dead in Beverly Hills. And throughout the cartoon-like antics of this farcial satire on vanity, plastic surgery and the negative side of living forever, Meryl Streep at 43 looks… superb!

Film Review: There are four star roles in “Death Becomes Her” – and three of them are women. Is that why you made this madcap movie?

Meryl Streep: I didn’t choose it because it was politically correct. I’m glad there are roles for women – it’s usually one woman and all the guys. They told me Goldie Hawn was going to do it and I’ve wanted to work with Goldie for a long time – we almost did “Thelma and Louise” together. And I’d never really made a big, blow-out Hollywood movie like this (laughs) with special effects, and Robert Zemeckis is of the MTV fast-cutting, turbo-charged film making school. So I couldn’t resist.