How to Beat the High Co$t of Living

How to Beat the High Co$t of Living is a charming comedy caper released in 1980, which delves into the financial woes and ambitious heist plans of three suburban women looking to navigate through the economic turmoil of late 1970s America. Directed by Robert Scheerer, the film stars Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, and Jessica Lange as a trio of unlikely criminals, each with her own set of personal and monetary struggles.

As the film begins, the audience is introduced to the lives of the three protagonists: Jane (Saint James), an overextended single mother; Elaine (Curtin), whose husband just left her and their children; and Louise (Lange), a financially struggling antiques dealer whose husband refuses to find stable employment. The three women are long-time friends, each facing the increasing pressures of inflation, the rising cost of living, and the pursuit of the American Dream, which seems ever more elusive.

Each woman is depicted with a healthy dose of humanity and humor, making them relatable and sympathetic figures. Jane is juggling the difficulties of raising her children without financial support, maintaining a house, and trying to move up in her real estate career. Elaine is reeling from her recent separation, left to figure out how to support herself and her children while going through the machinations of a painful divorce. Meanwhile, Louise's situation involves trying to keep her business afloat and her marriage together despite her husband's lack of contribution to their financial stability.

The setting of the film captures the period's zeitgeist, where economic anxiety was common, and many Americans were finding it increasingly difficult to keep their heads above water. As the inflation rate soars and their individual crises worsen, the three women are driven to a breaking point where they desperately seek a solution to their financial problems.

The plot thickens as the friends hatch a plan—a daring and seemingly foolproof scheme to rob the local shopping mall. What begins as a half-joked suggestion soon evolves into an elaborate plot as the women find a unique opportunity to "hit the jackpot." The mall is hosting a large spherical cash-filled dome as a promotional stunt, providing the friends with the perfect target for their heist.

While none of the three women has a background in crime, they find themselves drawing on their unique skill sets to plan the heist. Their amateur status adds to the humor and tension of the plot, as they devise and execute a plan filled with disguises, misdirection, and timing that would be critical to pulling off their caper. Along the way, the camaraderie between the women strengthens, as does their determination to overcome their financial difficulties by any means necessary.

The narrative takes the audience along for the journey as the women plan their caper, navigating through various roadblocks and moral dilemmas. The comedic timing of the cast brings levity to the scenarios the characters find themselves in, whether it's fumbling through preparations for the heist or dealing with the everyday challenges of their personal lives.

Susan Saint James' Jane is the de facto leader due to her assertive personality and knack for thinking on her feet. Jane Curtin's Elaine provides a more nervous and by-the-book contrast to Jane, often highlighting the absurdity of their situation with her dry wit and comedic reactions. And Jessica Lange's Louise brings a sense of warmth to the group. Together, they form a dynamic ensemble, each bringing her own strengths and vulnerabilities to the screen.

Throughout the film, the notion of female empowerment comes to the fore. Although faced with societal structures that limit their opportunities, the protagonists demonstrate resilience and agency as they take matters into their own hands. Their friendship and loyalty to one another are tested but ultimately act as their greatest strength. In the face of adversity, they find comfort and support in their shared experiences and challenges, adding a layer of poignancy to the slapstick and chaos of the heist.

The humor in How to Beat the High Co$t of Living is both a product of its time and strangely prescient, as it pokes fun at the consumer culture and economic conditions that are still relevant to modern audiences. Silliness and satire intermingle throughout the film, with the occasional pointed commentary on the role of women and the state of the economy.

As the narrative progresses towards the climax, the tension builds, and the viewers are left to wonder whether these three everyday women will successfully pull off their bold plan. The film keeps you guessing, rooting for the characters as they take risks and grow in ways they never imagined. The movie concludes with a satisfying wrap-up of the varying threads of character progression and overarching storyline, leaving the audience with a humorous reflection on life, friendship, and the lengths to which people will go to make ends meet.