We Really Like Her! THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (1981)

 

 

 

Starring Lily Tomlin (in multiple roles!) and written by her longtime partner Jane Wagner, The Incredible Shrinking Woman is much more than just a gender-swapped riff on Richard Matheson’s famous novel. In a similar spirit to The Stepford Wives and She-Devil, the film presents a pastel-coloured commentary on how women are constantly asked to pull back from being their full selves in order to serve others. 

 

 

After accidentally exposing herself to a toxic mix of household chemicals and beauty products, Pat Kramer (Tomlin) slowly begins, well, shrinking. As she continues to perform her stereotypical duties as a wife and a mother with diminishing returns, she catches the eye of local media outlets and becomes an overnight celebrity. Can she escape her strange fate before it’s too late, or will science make an example of her for generations to come? Also, will her clueless husband (Charles Grodin) ever grow up?

 

 

With zany direction from queer icon Joel Schumacher (in his feature film debut!), outrageous practical effects (cue Oscar-winning SFX artist Rick Baker as “Sidney the Gorilla”) and whimsical production design, The Incredible Shrinking Woman simply has to be seen to be believed.  (EMILY GAGNE + DANITA STEINBERG)