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Video: Bette Midler – Behind The Scenes Of Drowning Mona 2000
By Mister D
January 8, 2025
Synopsis of “Drowning Mona” (2000):
“Drowning Mona” is a comedic crime mystery set in the small town of Verplanck, New York, where everyone drives a Yugo due to the city being a test market for cars. The plot revolves around the death of Mona Dearly (played by Bette Midler), a universally despised woman known for her harsh, abusive nature. Mona meets her demise when her car plunges into the Hudson River, initially appearing to be an accident. However, Police Chief Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito) quickly deduces it was murder since there are no skid marks indicating an attempt to stop the vehicle.
As Wyatt investigates, he finds that virtually everyone in town has a motive to kill Mona. Her husband Phil (William Fichtner) and son Jeph (Marcus Thomas) show no grief at her death; her son’s business partner Bobby (Casey Affleck) and Rash’s daughter Ellen (Neve Campbell) have also suffered from Mona’s wrath. The town’s waitress, Rona (Jamie Lee Curtis), is having an affair with Phil, adding to the list of suspects. The film unfolds through a series of interviews and flashbacks, revealing Mona’s cruel behavior and the tangled web of relationships in Verplanck, all while humorously exploring who could have wanted Mona dead.
Awards/Nominations:
ALMA Awards:
Nomination for Outstanding Director of a Feature Film for Nick Gomez
Trivia:
The film’s setting was inspired by the fact that Verplanck was supposedly used as a test market for Yugo cars, leading to nearly every vehicle in the movie being a Yugo, each with personalized license plates.
Casey Affleck, who plays Bobby Calzone, has publicly expressed his dislike for this film, stating it was one of his least favorite projects.
The character name “Wyatt Rash” was chosen to play on the term “white trash” when said quickly.
Bette Midler’s character name, “Mona Dearly,” is an anagram for “only a dream”.
The film features several actors from other notable films, including Danny DeVito and Bette Midler, who previously worked together in “Ruthless People”.
Quotes:
Mona Dearly (Bette Midler): “Yeah? Well, life handed me a whole pile a’ shit! What am I supposed to make outta that?”
Chief Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito): “My mother always used to say, ‘When life hands you potatoes, make potato salad!'”
“Drowning Mona” is known for its dark humor and the ensemble cast’s performances, providing a comedic twist to the classic whodunit genre. Despite mixed reviews, it has garnered a cult following for its quirky portrayal of small-town life and the absurdity of its premise.
