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Title: Heavenly Creatures (1994)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| 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 | |
Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme met in school during the 1950s. Instant best friends, they proceeded to spend every minute possible together, often writing about a fantasy land of their own invention. More and more estranged from their respective families, the two girls realise that they are extremely different from most other people, and agree to take any steps necessary to ensure that they are not seperated. The two families are increasingly concerned about the girls' friendship in a strictly moralistic era. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
I understand why teenage girls would like this movie--the thrilling rush of new found deep friendship tied together with nascent sexuality and all that comes with it...the defying of the confines of the world around them...the incredible power of unfettered creativity and self-delusional belief...
What's amazing is that a jaded thirty-something man like myself would consider it to be his favorite film of all time. Peter Jackson shows a deftness in handling interpersonal characterizations and blending in amazing special effects in a way that seems so natural...so fluid...that you while you're awed by what you see, you're not so aware of the process that you're distracted. The oh-so-1993 effect of "morphing" is used better here than any other film (save, perhaps, Terminator 2--but in that movie, the morphing WAS the film...when here, it is merely one element.)
The direction is exemplary. The cinematography is awe inspiring. The script is sharp. The acting...down the line...is superb. Melanie Lynskey delivers a brave performance--giddy, childish, frightening, sexual, clouded... She's everything Christina Ricci pretends to be. Kate Winslet--hyper-bright and wonderful...her performance here reminds you that her "Titanic" performance was "sunk" (sorry!) by the extremely poor dialogue she was given. Her character's overly cheerful demeanor is a mask that covers her disappointment in her parents--but it's extended so far that it no longer seems like a mask...it seems to be a force of nature that drags Lynskey's Pauline along for a dangerous ride...a ride that Winslet's Juliet is in no position to control. There are crisp performances from all of the supporting cast as well.
Jackson should be listed with Gilliam and even Lynch when it comes to directors who can achieve a glorious, if dark, vision. The fact that Jackson's movies (save for "Meet the Feebles") are mainstream accessible--in ways that Lynch, especially, could barely consider (although "The Frighteners" was painfully overlooked by the US market)--makes me wish that he'd try his hand at more mainstream material.
Imagine what a Peter Jackson "Titanic" would have been like...and compare that to what a James Cameron "Heavenly Creatures" would have been like and you get my point.