Heavenly Creatures (1994)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers:

Fran Walsh (screenplay) and
Peter Jackson (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 October 1994 (New Zealand)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

The true story of a crime that shocked a nation.

Plot:

Two girls have an intense fantasy life; their parents, concerned the fantasy is too intense, separate them, and the girls take revenge.

Plot Keywords:

Friend | Friendship | Fantasy Life | 1950s | Writing

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 16 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Melanie Lynskey	...	Pauline Parker
Kate Winslet	...	Juliet Hulme
Sarah Peirse	...	Honora Parker Rieper
Diana Kent	...	Hilda Hulme
Clive Merrison	...	Dr. Henry Hulme
Simon O'Connor	...	Herbert Rieper
Jed Brophy	...	John / Nicholas
Peter Elliott	...	Bill Perry
Gilbert Goldie	...	Dr. Bennett
Geoffrey Heath	...	Rev. Norris
Kirsti Ferry	...	Wendy
Ben Skjellerup	...	Jonathan Hulme
Darien Takle	...	Miss Stewart
Elizabeth Moody	...	Miss Waller
Liz Mullane	...	Mrs. Collins

Also Known As:

Heavenly Creatures: The Uncut Version (USA) (longer version)
Himmlische Kreaturen (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for a chilling murder and some sexuality.; Rated R for violence and sexual content. (uncut version)

Runtime:

99 min | USA:108 min (uncut version)

Country:

UK | Germany | New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 (re-rating) | South Korea:(Banned) (original rating) | Finland:K-15 | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:18A | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Canterbury, New Zealand

Company:

Fontana Productions

Trivia:

Melanie Lynskey was cast as Pauline Parker two weeks before filming began. Co-writer Fran Walsh discovered her at the last minute while scouring local high schools for Parker lookalikes.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Pauline and Juliet are taking a bath together, each girl has separate shots at her respective end of the tub. However, the water levels are noticeably different.

Quotes:

[first lines]
[Director Peter Jackson opens with the scene that should, logically, end the film: that is, the moments immediately following the murder. The girls Juliet and Pauline run screaming up the hill-path to the tea-house, sobbing and covered in blood. The scene is intercut with b&w visions of the two running across a ship deck to meet Dr. and Mrs. Hulme, whom they both refer to as their mother, as the first three exclamations of "Mummy!" demonstrate]
Juliet Hulme: Mummy!
Pauline Parker: Mummy!
Juliet Hulme: Mummmmy!
[the scene changes from the ship to the hilltop tea-house. The girls are screaming hysterically as the tea-house woman runs out to see what the noise is all about]
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in It's in the Water (1997)

Soundtrack:

The Humming Chorus

Wonderfully imaginative and well done film.

'Heavenly Creatures' is not your average film; it's done with a technique that is not common in the business, and therefore has been both criticised and praised. The technique is used by not just filming a story and it's actions, but by actually showing the side of the girls' vivid imaginations. This was done through the elaborate sequences of the girls' fantasies. This way of filming shows how the pair justified the crime they commit, a vital part of the story. The plot itself does not trail far from the true story, except for the fact of inferred lesbianism between the two girls. (Something the real-life Juliet Hulme has vehemently denied) So it's anyone's guess as to whether or not which possibility is the truth.

Visually, this movie is stunning. The landscape of Christchurch and the surrounding area is beautiful, and adds a sense of authenticity to the film. The voice overs are extracts from the real Pauline's diary, and explain very well what exactly is going on inside of her head. All in all, a very good portrayal by all of the actors (obviously on the part of Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet) and the music is exquisite.