Review of Heavenly Creatures (1994) by Issac L — 18 Sep 2013

Fabulously weird, curiously creepy and pretty enthralling. Full of new ideas (as well as showing off a lot of new talent for the time) with smooth visuals, a strong plot and a truly haunting premise.

The acting is offbeat and strange but this fits well with the film's tone and it fits well with Lynskey and Winslet's abilities and also with Jackson's fearless direction. It's maybe a bit strange for some but that also makes it creepier which is definitely part of its appeal. I think the film's tone is its strongest element and it feels like one of the defining movies of the nineties for that reason. The story develops well and the dialogue is good- the real diary sections in particular stick out. While it's not a long film, it does get a big bogged down at times by much this is about a single relationship- when the relationship has been built and we begin to get an understanding of its intensity, the film starts to struggle to move on and when you combine this with the fantasy sequences beginning to wear a bit thin near the end of the film, you may just feel yourself willing things along a little. There's still some interesting plot developments though and the film is never a bore and certainly gives you some things to chew on.

It really does seem to live up to its reputation and is a good mark for everyone involved to have on their record, which is quite a compliment considering how successful some of the people involved have become. It's got a unique feverishness to it that when combined with the visual beauty and dark subject matter, makes for something that will stick in your mind and be worth returning to at a later date.