Among other things, Beetlejuice is, to a large extent, a statement on the pitfalls of opposing interior decoration aesthetics brought together under one roof, although all within the overarching umbrella of late 80's yuppie chic. Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin, the couple who dies after driving through the side of a barn in their buttercreme volvo wagon which was acceptable back then, represent the Connecticut Laura Ashley Turtleneck team, whereas Catherine O'Hara and Ed Rooney from Ferris Bueller represent the Desperate-To-Be-Huge-In-The- Chelsea-District team. As you can well imagine, Tim Burton's prediction of how this battle turns out is illustrated in a myriad of striking color palette, textures and unexpected angular objects all within this big house that looks like a church. Geena and Alec can't leave the house because if they go outside then they end up in a big Dali painting which is no good, and Ed and Catherine O'Hara can't leave because they'll lose all that good equity. Betelguese (Michael Keaton) is exactly the disgusting, opportunistic anarchist that you want to step into this nonsense and start knockin heads around, which he does with no lack of belligerent banter. This wasn't WInona's debut, but she is still awfully itty-bitty and adorable in this, singularly representing the Joy Division aesthetic, attending family dinners in full mourning attire. Most underrated performance I think goes to Ed Rooney in the struggle between Good and Evil that ensues as he relaxes alone in his study with his birds and binoculars ("Nice building, bad roof.....Goooood parking!")
Most bizarre cameo ever: Dick Cavett as New York art dealer. ???