What a Way to Go!

What a Way to Go!, released in 1964, is a black comedy sprinkled lavishly with a romantic ambience and a lineup of Hollywood's unforgettable stars, including Shirley MacLaine, Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, and others. J. Lee Thompson, known for movies like The Guns of Navarone, directed the film. The screenplay was written by Bettie Comden and Adolph Green, based on a story by Gwen Davis.

Shirley MacLaine shines as the lead character, Louisa May Foster. The story follows Louisa's life, seen mostly through her eyes and presented in a brilliant mixture of wistful, comedic, and poignant moments. Louisa is a woman who yearned for a simple life with love and modest living but found herself caught in a comical, yet tragic, cycle of wealth and loss. Despite her best attempts to lead a low-key existence, she keeps maritally stumbling into enormous wealth, tossing her into the opulent end of the financial spectrum time and time again.

In her quest for a 'little love in a cottage', she encounters some of the most fetching men of Hollywood. These encounters are elegantly depicted through vignettes, featuring an exciting ensemble of male co-stars, including Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Dean Martin, Gene Kelly, and even Dick Van Dyke. Each of these men brings a unique charm that threads through the movie’s narrative tapestry, highlighting the different paths Louisa walks in her journey through life.

One key highlight of the film is the performances given by the lead actors. MacLaine, an Academy Award-winning actress, masterfully and humorously swings back and forth between anguish, joy and perplexity, making her a fascinating character to follow. Paul Newman and Robert Mitchum both bring their signature masculine allure to the film, their distinct personalities further enriching the character of Louisa’s life journey.

The film's visual style is another considerable draw, with its bright, beautiful color and high-budget lavishness projected on the big screen. The opulent aesthetic continues with Edith Head's costumes, whose sumptuousness has become practically their own character within the film. Furthermore, the sets' exquisite extravagance complements this visual grandeur seamlessly. What a Way to Go! is a parade of visual spectacle as well as a comedic narrative.

Yet, beyond the screen glitz and glamour, the movie finds its heart in its darkly comedic take on the materialist American Dream. Louisa's life, rather than being a chronicle of fortune and prosperity, subtly satirizes the excessive consumerism and material gain obsession. The movie examines the notion of 'riches over happiness' in a uniquely humorous way. Louisa dreams of living simply, yet somehow, she keeps finding herself swathed in unwanted fortune as the universe has its grand, ironic laugh.

Parallely, a romantic thread runs through the narrative. Will Louisa ever find the simple, earnest love that she's been seeking? This forms another central dynamic to the film’s narrative. Despite being a black comedy that satirizes materialism, the film, in essence, is a love story that explores Louisa’s desire for genuine emotion above material lavishness, further emphasizing the theme of 'little love in a cottage' over hollow riches.

Overall, What a Way to Go! is a star-studded film extravaganza that is as much an opulent showcase as it is a satirical commentary. Balancing humor, romance and a tinge of tragedy, the film creates a world of its own, fascinating and compelling. The performances are standout, the visuals are a feast for the eyes, and the underlying social commentary is subtly layered, making it a film worth watching. With its intriguing premise and a well-executed script, What a Way to Go! is a classic offering from the 1960s that marries comedy, romance, and social critique into a fantastic cinematic package.