Okay, before I begin this post I must address the cause of my absence-I was studying abroad in New Zealand for the entire month of January. While there I took a film class, and Heavenly Creatures was one of the required films we had to watch and answer questions about. While studying we stayed in Christchurch, the setting of the film, and went to the various set locations. Readers beware. This post contains spoilers.
I had heard of Heavenly Creatures before, but never actually seen it, so when my professor assigned it I was quite happy. The movie is about two young girls who meet in school and develop a deep connection with each other. When their friendship is torn apart by their parents, they plan their revenge. I knew of the story line, but I never knew this was actually based on a true story. Knowing that, when we went to the girls school, the original university, the Hulme’s house and the murder site, it took on a whole new (creepy) meaning.
I found this movie to be very well paced and I never experienced a dull moment. The storyline was very interesting and the subject of Pauline and Juliet’s relationship is something that is still widely discussed today. Were they just friends? Or was their relationship something more? Or were they just acting out the fantasy of Charles and Deborah? (Fee free to state your opinions in ze comments.)
I love, love, love Kate Winslet and she certainly does not disappoint in this movie. At first viewing I didn’t care for the way she handled the character; she seemed too over the top and quite annoying. But as the story continued I found that it was the only way to portray a character like that, as she and Pauline ARE over the top and CRAZY. Melanie Lynskey was just fantastic as Pauline. I was seriously scared of that girl and I was just watching her. No wonder she didn’t have friends at school! I would have stayed far, far away from that. (Completely random comment: I find it adorable that Melanie was the hand double for the infamous car scene in Titanic. Moving on…) Sarah Peirse was brilliant as Honora and I felt so badly for her! *tear* The rest of the cast was quite lovely as well.
Overall I loved, loved this movie, though I must admit I was rather sad to learn the fate of the girls at the end of the movie. Not because of what they did, but because they were forced to never see each other again. I know, I know, I probably shouldn’t feel that way because they, you know, MURDERED PAULINE’S MOTHER, but still. It made me sad. Basically, this movie was brilliant and you should see it if you haven’t.
Oh, and below are some of the pictures from the actual sites! Enjoy!
This was the high school the girls attended.
This was the Hulme's house, which is now the faculty center.
This was the back yard for the Hulme's house, where the girls spent a lot of time running through the woods and randomly taking thier clothes off.
Where the final scenes of the movie were shot. Quite creepy in the woods, so no pictures.