Watch The Incredible Shrinking Woman

The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a 1981 American comedy film that revolves around the life of Pat Kramer, a suburban housewife who, after being exposed to various household chemicals, begins to shrink in size. The story begins with Pat, who is a devoted and caring wife and mother living in a neat and tidy house in the suburbs. She’s a homemaker, a clean fanatic and a devoted TV viewer. But, as she is routinely exposed to a variety of chemicals, including aerosol sprays, household cleaners and painkillers, she begins to shrink inch by inch every day. Initially, no one believes her, including her husband Vance (played by Charles Grodin) and her doctor (played by Ned Beatty) who dismisses her concerns as a mere side effect of stress.

As Pat continues to shrink, she realizes that her situation is becoming more dangerous and she starts to seek help from scientists who are interested in her shrinking problem. With the help of Dr. Eugene Nortz (played by Henry Gibson), who is obsessed with her case, Pat learns that her shrinking is due to a rare chemical reaction triggered by a combination of everyday household products. Dr. Nortz starts to conduct laboratory experiments on Pat and eventually discovers that the chemical reaction responsible for her shrinking could also lead to her ultimate disappearance.

As Pat becomes smaller, her relationship with her husband changes, and Vance starts to see her as more of a freak than a wife. He starts to ignore her and is more concerned about his business ventures than his wife's well-being. Pat also becomes a media sensation, appearing on talk shows and news segments where she is ridiculed by hosts and audiences alike. Her situation becomes so dire that she becomes the subject of a commercial campaign, with large corporations looking to promote and capitalize on her unique condition.

As the film progresses, Pat continues to shrink at an alarming rate, and she becomes increasingly isolated from the world around her. Her only connection is with her children, who continue to offer support and understanding throughout her crisis. In a touching scene, Pat is shown sitting in her daughter’s dollhouse, crying and feeling lost and fearful.

The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a timeless classic that offers a comedic yet poignant commentary on societal values and attitudes to women. It’s a film that portrays the struggle of an individual who is ignored and dismissed by the world around them, forcing them to find a way to survive in a world that shows little compassion for their plight.

Overall, The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a film that combines humor, satire, and a surprising amount of insight into its story. It’s a film that’s sure to leave its viewers entertained and moved at the same time, and a perfect representation of the kind of thought-provoking and engaging film that was produced in the 1980s.

The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a 1981 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.