Review of Heavenly Creatures (1994) by Stephen M — 26 Sep 2010

The first major picture for both Winslet and director Peter Jackson (of the Lord of the Rings trilogy) is fun and lively. That?s surprising for a somewhat fictionalized story based on a real and rather vicious murder. (An interesting side note: One of the real-life girls grew up to be famous British crime novelist Anne Perry following her release from jail.).

Winslet and Lynskey (Ever After) are school chums who create a magical world together, escaping the dullness of their 1950s New Zealand town. In that new realm, both teenage girls become obsessed with their friendship, acting as a catalyst for each other?s worst qualities. Of course, after the two commit murder, all of New Zealand whispered of neurotic behaviors and lesbianism, but very few rumors touched on the idea that two slightly crazed characters were simply a toxic combination.

In showing the girls? imagined story, Jackson displays an early hand at the fantasy that would later win him an Oscar for Return of the King. His able direction provides quite an astonishing introduction for both Winslet and Lynskey. More important than this, though, is how Jackson gets the tone so right. Heavenly Creatures starts as a witty combination of dark comedy and snickering morbidity. As the swelling music and fanciful art direction give way to creepier insinuations, there seems to be only one outcome, and it?s not a heavenly one.