Review of Boxing Helena (1993) by Lauren - — 15 May 2008

The fact Julian Sands is probably one of the worlds less than gifted actors does not help this films cause, I can safely say that Boxing Helena (for me) is one of the worst films I've yet to see. It had potential to explore the dark side of psychological sexual fantasy and obsession but in the end it comes off as a ridiculous allegory involving castration, harpy mothers and the Oedipus complex. Matters are not helped by the film featuring two of the most un-likeable characters put to screen, they do not have any appeal, they lack charm and more importantly humour which is greatly needed in a film such as this given the whole amputee fetishism that "runs" through the film.

I found Helena a screeching bint (though unlucky Fenn was third choice and probably had little idea of what she was getting into) and Cavanaugh a manic fool not helped by Sands ability to make every role he plays uneven almost wildly veering, it works for Daniel Day Lewis but he makes it work, Sands lacks the skills to do so and ends up looking like a berk. I think if the film had been more graphic in its presentation and had succeeded in being a surreal and darkly comic film (and Sands was replaced) it might have worked but in the end it is just an absurd little film that is almost unwatchable. I also think Lynch lacks the subtle touch to allow the film to unfold as it should, it needs ambiguity, it needs to ask questions and leave few answers but instead everything is put on display for all to see.

Yet the film is quite an achievement because ten years after I first watched it, it is a film I still remember it sticks in my head and I am unable to dislodge it which is a shame because it's taking up space for better and more important things and yet having just trashed it I might have to track it down again, it is an intriguing watch, like watching a car crash awful but fascinating.