Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Review by HTQ4
Film:
DVD:

Written by Frances Walsh and Peter Jackson
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Melanie Lynskey, Kate Winslet, Sarah Peirse, Diana Kent, Clive Merrison, and Simon O'Connor

Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: Own it for now.

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme (Lynskey and Winslet) became fast friends when Juliet arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand. They were inseparable. With their creative minds put together, they created an entire new world which they chronicled in a novel which they had the hopes of publishing. However, their parents began to worry about the nature of their relationship, so their families began to make attempts to separate the two. Rather than watch the walls of their world crumble around them, they plotted ways to make sure they could stay together forever.

This is a fascinating script which was based on a true story and still sends shivers down the spines of New Zealanders. It is perfectly conceived from beginning to end, with Peter Jackson acting both as co-scribe and director. With a cast list that includes Winslet, it really had no chance of failing. But the real treasure of this film is Winslet's partner-in-crime, Melanie Lynskey. Together they created a relationship that was a solid as a rock. Lynskey's is a career that I will begin to watch with much more enthusiasm after seeing this film. Not only that, but Jackson's vision of the fantasy world these two girls created is absolutely stunning. His use of seven-foot-high clay figures is simply beautiful.

Look, I know Jackson is busy with a little project called Lord of the Rings right now, but it sure would have been nice to have a commentary track with Winslet and Lynskey about their process of making this movie. Perhaps a behind-the-scenes type thing would have sufficed as quality bonus material on this DVD. Instead we get nothing. It's a real disappointment for a film of this caliber, especially since we have most of the people responsible for it around to put this together for us.

The film alone is worth adding to the collection. I would just be ready to sell it back to buy the special edition of the film when (are you listening, Miramax?) they release it.