How to Beat the High Cost of Living

Set in the backdrop of the late 1970s economic crisis, How to Beat the High Cost of Living is a comedic snapshot of the era that tells the story of three women from suburban Oregon. Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, and Jessica Lange lead the cast in this 1980 film directed by Robert Scheerer.

As the title suggests, the film is centered around the economic hardships faced by middle-class Americans during this period. It successfully weaves the narrative around inflation, unemployment, and the skyrocketing cost of living that marked the socio-economic climate.

Saint James, Curtin, and Lange portray the characters of Jane, Elaine, and Louise—three childhood friends who find themselves struggling to make ends meet amidst this financial turmoil. Jane is a divorced mother, trying to maintain the lifestyle of her two children. Elaine is the wife of an oblivious, dream-chasing entrepreneur whose failing business leads to dwindling finances for their family while Louise is a housewife, consistently ignored by her husband and struggling to find her place in this world.

As the severity of their financial predicaments increase, they begin to consider desperate measures. The film offers humorous situations as these three ordinary suburban housewives come up with an extraordinary plot to alleviate their financial strife. While their plan involves a potentially unlawful course of action, they perceive it as the only viable solution.

Throughout the film, the strength of their friendship serves as the sturdy backbone of the narrative, supporting each other through their individual hardships. At points, the movie faithfully depicts the reality of countless middle-class Americans wrestling with financial dilemmas during this period. However, all this is done with a sense of humor and light-heartedness, encapsulating the audience with laughs and the promise of an adventurous, fun-packed tale.

How to Beat the High Cost of Living further enriches its narrative with a host of intriguing secondary characters. Richard Benjamin plays Jane's former husband, an individual with a cold exterior yet an inherently kind nature. Dabney Coleman portrays Elaine's husband, a man with big dreams and little success. Fred Willard, on the other hand, is notable as the poor police officer catching up the trail of our main characters.

Robert Scheerer's direction makes the story come alive on screen, spotlighting the reality of economic hardship through the zany, comedic lens. Aided by the witty script from Robert Kaufman, the film successfully garners audience sympathy for the three leads who are driven to the edge of despair by circumstances beyond their control.

As far as the performances are concerned, Saint James, Curtin, and Lange deliver compelling performances, bringing out the desperation, resilience, and humor of their characters brilliantly. The camaraderie between them is infectious, making the audience root for their success no matter how misguided their ventures may seem. The supporting cast, too, play their respective parts convincingly, supplementing and furthering the twists and turns of the eventful plot.

As a landmark of its era, How to Beat the High Cost of Living combats the grim situation of America's economic crisis with a gutsy spirit of comedy while providing a fresh, relatable perspective. The uniquely warm, humorous, yet pointed critique of the socio-economic climate of the late '70s is bound to keep the viewers engaged, laughing along with the protagonists and empathizing with their struggles.

That being said, the film transpires beyond just a comedy about three women on the verge of a financial breakdown. It also evokes a sense of nostalgia for an era past. Through the sharp comic chisel, it captures a slice of American life, revealing to the audience a sociopolitical landscape that was as anxiety-inducing as it was transformative.

In conclusion, How to Beat the High Cost of Living is a humorous escapade centered around the challenges of surviving the '70s economic downturn. Keep an eye out for the excellent ensemble, compelling performances, and comic relief that paves the way for a memorable movie experience.