Heavenly Creatures (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
'Heavenly Creatures' (directed by Peter Jackson) is based on the horrifying true story of Pauline Parker & Juliet Hulme (Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet), 2 close friends who share a love of literature, fantasy, & each other; who conspire to murder Pauline's mother, Honora (Sarah Peirse), when she tries to end the girls' obsessive relationship. Set in Christchurch, New Zealand, the film spans the yrs. of 1952-1954. You see, by 1954, 15 yr. old Pauline & 17 yr. old Juliet had formed an intense, but unhealthy (to outsiders) friendship. They met in school, shared the same interests, & became inseparable friends; knowing that they had a very special kind of bond - almost as if they were both in their own existence.
But when a case of tuberculosis sent Juliet into hospital, & quarantine, they were forced to correspond by letter-writing. And it is in those letters where they lived-out (in their minds) fantasy sequences involving the 2 of them. With time, their now estranged parents became mightily concerned about the specific nature of their friendship (homosexuality was a huge no-no in the strict moral setting of 1950's New Zealand), & kept Juliet & Pauline from seeing each other. The tragic, revenge-fueled developments of their separation, as described in Pauline's diary, are related in blunt, vivid fashion for all of us to see.
'Heavenly Creatures' is quite the movie. It deals with elements of humor, horror, fantasy, youth, sexuality, murder, dysfunction, & freedom. When released in New Zealand, 'HC' more than rustled some feathers. This story had not been discussed in a very long time. But thanks to Peter Jackson - for better or worse - it's back in the spotlight; causing journalists to search out the 2 women all over again. Pauline has not been found. However, it's fascinating to discover that Juliet has done quite well for herself as a bestselling murder mystery author; using the pen name, Anne Perry (my mom & grandma love her books)! Considering the true story, & what "Anne" does now, it makes for an intriguing segue from fact to fiction, huh?
This is an unusual, powerful, but troubling film for me to critique. The momentum of the film is carried through character interaction btwn. the leads, brilliantly played by newcomers Melanie Lynskey & Kate Winslet. Pauline & Juliet are so well-written, & ably performed, that it's easy enough to sit through the not-so-great parts to see what they do/say next. Given the nature of the film, one of the big questions would be: were the girls lesbians, bisexual, or neither? It's up to us to make up our own minds. One of the most important aspects of the narrative is the fantasy element, because the girls loved to read, & imagine themselves in another world. It may be normal for teens to relish in an elevated happy, romantic world that isn't their own, but these girls were psychotic, or near-psychotic.
And I love how Jackson uses wonderful special effect-driven sequences for the girls to play in (a heaven world inhabited by clay people who sing opera. I know. Weird, but effective.). And while it's fun for us to see, & fun for the girls (in the story), the sequences also serve as a place for the girls to go to escape their harsh, violent realities. Jackson (& company) tell a haunting, atmospheric tale. It's very well done. But tonally, the jarring opening sequence - and particularly - the ending sequence was almost a deal breaker for me. The actual killing of Honora is so brutal, so prolonged, that I literally couldn't stomach anymore. So, if you can handle that, I say, give the film a shot, it's worth it in the end.
But when a case of tuberculosis sent Juliet into hospital, & quarantine, they were forced to correspond by letter-writing. And it is in those letters where they lived-out (in their minds) fantasy sequences involving the 2 of them. With time, their now estranged parents became mightily concerned about the specific nature of their friendship (homosexuality was a huge no-no in the strict moral setting of 1950's New Zealand), & kept Juliet & Pauline from seeing each other. The tragic, revenge-fueled developments of their separation, as described in Pauline's diary, are related in blunt, vivid fashion for all of us to see.
'Heavenly Creatures' is quite the movie. It deals with elements of humor, horror, fantasy, youth, sexuality, murder, dysfunction, & freedom. When released in New Zealand, 'HC' more than rustled some feathers. This story had not been discussed in a very long time. But thanks to Peter Jackson - for better or worse - it's back in the spotlight; causing journalists to search out the 2 women all over again. Pauline has not been found. However, it's fascinating to discover that Juliet has done quite well for herself as a bestselling murder mystery author; using the pen name, Anne Perry (my mom & grandma love her books)! Considering the true story, & what "Anne" does now, it makes for an intriguing segue from fact to fiction, huh?
This is an unusual, powerful, but troubling film for me to critique. The momentum of the film is carried through character interaction btwn. the leads, brilliantly played by newcomers Melanie Lynskey & Kate Winslet. Pauline & Juliet are so well-written, & ably performed, that it's easy enough to sit through the not-so-great parts to see what they do/say next. Given the nature of the film, one of the big questions would be: were the girls lesbians, bisexual, or neither? It's up to us to make up our own minds. One of the most important aspects of the narrative is the fantasy element, because the girls loved to read, & imagine themselves in another world. It may be normal for teens to relish in an elevated happy, romantic world that isn't their own, but these girls were psychotic, or near-psychotic.
And I love how Jackson uses wonderful special effect-driven sequences for the girls to play in (a heaven world inhabited by clay people who sing opera. I know. Weird, but effective.). And while it's fun for us to see, & fun for the girls (in the story), the sequences also serve as a place for the girls to go to escape their harsh, violent realities. Jackson (& company) tell a haunting, atmospheric tale. It's very well done. But tonally, the jarring opening sequence - and particularly - the ending sequence was almost a deal breaker for me. The actual killing of Honora is so brutal, so prolonged, that I literally couldn't stomach anymore. So, if you can handle that, I say, give the film a shot, it's worth it in the end.