‘Only the best people fight against all obstacles in pursuit of happiness…’
Peter Jackson has had a weird career. Lurching from gross out horror movies (Bad Taste, Braindead) to Tolkien via cinema’s greatest ever ape and an acclaimed documentary about World War II is some career arc. Sandwiched in between all this madness is Heavenly Creatures – a film totally unlike anything else in the Jackson oeuvre, and a film that still feels fresh and relevant today – something that is a testament to Jackson’s considerable imagination.
When Pauline Parker (Melanie Lynskey) and Juliet Hulme (Kate Winslet) meet in an all girls school, their intense friendship leads them to some troubling places.
Based on a true story, Heavenly Creatures marks the cinematic debut of both Lynskey and Winslet, and while their careers took decidedly disparate paths, they are both acclaimed, experienced actors who continue to dominate the entertainment landscape – albeit mostly on the small screen in the case of Lynskey. While Winslet is clearly the most well known of the two, it is Lynskey who shines here with her tangled hair and permanent scowl. Together, they manage to ground a movie that often deviates into surreal flights of fancy – a lesser cast would surely struggle to make this work – and Jackson’s innovative visual style also ensures that the more fantastical moments retain their emotional power.
There are a lot of reasons to check out Heavenly Creatures. Jackson. Winslet. Lynskey. All before they were household names. And while Jackson’s third feature is perhaps not as good as the sum of its parts, it’s still strange enough and unique enough to merit a first look. And it’s from the 90s…