In heaven, everything is fine…

February 26th, 2009 at 10:40am Will Pfeifer

With Kate Winslet (finally) winning an Oscar, it’s a fitting coincidence that the Onion’s AV Club is featuring HEAVENLY CREATURES this week as the selection in its New Cult Canon.

Released in 1994, it’s the movie that pretty much introduced Winslet to the movie world. Even year, young and unpolished, she’s obviously got some amazing acting chops. She plays Juliet Hulme, a 15-year-old who, in 1954, helped her best friend, Pauline Parker (Melanie Lynskey, also very good) murder Parker’s mom. The film is based on an actual case, and after serving a short sentence, Hulme and Parker were released — on the condition that they never see each other again.

If you go in expecting a dry true-crime story, you’re in for a big (and excellent) surprise. HEAVENLY CREATURES is directed by Peter Jackson, and though it’s not quite as fantasy-oriented as the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy or his KING KONG remake, it’s not far off. Instead of downplaying the fantasy world Juliet and Hulme concocted, he revels in it, bringing their visions of a magical kingdom, a personal heaven and Mario Lanza to colorful life. Those scenes, contrasted with the dark horror of the actual events (and supported by the strong performances of Winslet and Lynskey) make HEAVENLY CREATURES a truly great film. In fact — and I realize this is heresy to LORD OF THE RINGS FANS — it might be Jackson’s best.

Read the Onion write-up here, then rent the movie. I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

Entry Filed under: Cult movies