THE GREAT KATE WINSLET

I decided to view Heavenly Creatures (HC) in October 1998 because of my admiration for  Kate Winslet's talent as an actress.  I saw Titanic on the silver screen last January, but I truly noticed her outstanding performance in it while watching the video, which was released in September.   She's a natural!  This compelled me to rent films that featured her.  Below is her filmography:

* Heavenly Creatures (1994) * A Kid At King Arthur's Court (1995) * Sense & Sensibility (1995) * Hamlet (1996) * Jude (1996) * Titanic (1997) * Hideous Kinky (1999) * Holy Smoke (1999) * Therese Raquin (2000) * Quills (2000) * Enigma (2001) * many, many, quality movies on and on

Within a week I watched everything that could be rented except for HC.  Because another fan decided to prolong their rental, I wondered why.   I thought that if it was that good, then I should just buy it.  Boy!  Did I make the right decision or what?

ABOUT THE MOVIE

HC was released in 1994.  The film was about the true story of the close and intense friendship between teenagers Pauline Yvonne Parker and Juliet Marion Hulme, which led to the murder of Pauline's mother during the 1950s in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Director Peter Jackson researched well and was always persistent in acquiring the right details.  Along with Frances Walsh for screenplay, HC was nominated for an Oscar.  The many lines and voiceovers were witty and memorable.   The following are a  few of my favorite lines.   Pauline's lines below were actually her words taken from her diaries.

• "All the best people have bad chests and bone diseases.  It's all frightfully romantic!" ~ Juliet

• "'Tis indeed a miracle one must feel that two such heavenly creatures are real" ~ Pauline

• "We spent a hectic night going through the saints. It was wonderful! Heavenly! Beautiful! And ours! We felt satisfied indeed. We have now learned the peace of the thing called bliss, the joy of the thing called sin." ~ Pauline

• "Only the best people fight all obstacles in pursuit of happiness." ~ Juliet

In addition, the cast was perfect!  Newcomer Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet were excellent and very convincing.  This was Kate's film debut, beating out many actresses for the part.  Interestingly, after a thorough search for a New Zealander to play Pauline, Melanie was discovered a few weeks before the movie was set to film.   She did not have any professional acting experience prior to the movie but acted as if she did.

And last but not least, the soundtrack was outstanding for it conveyed the right mood and music at all times!  I did not know who Mario Lanza was until I saw the film.  Observe the "Donkey Serenade" and "Funiculi Funicula" scenes when you get the chance. 

If you are a Kate Winslet or a  Peter Jackson fan, or a finicky movie critic, rent or buy this movie!  There is a good possibility that you may become a Melanie Lynskey fan as well.

IN REAL LIFE

Matricide by two naive teenagers is naturally shocking and Pauline and Juliet's crime is still a mystery up to this day.  I, like many others, was intrigued about the true story and researched for more details about it. 

Pauline and Juliet became fast friends at Christchurch Girls High School.  Their mutual interests and passions include writing fantasy novels and riding horses.  Their friendship was close and intense, and some think it was a lesbian relationship.   Because of that, their parents were alarmed and wanted the two girls separated, thus killing Pauline's mother in the process.  They served five years for their crime and were freed at the condition never to meet again.  Besides the murder, their condition was a tragic one because it ended a special childhood friendship.

Pauline and Juliet were separated after the trial.  After their release from jail, they changed their names and went on with their lives.  For over thirty years, their identities were not known until after the release of the movie.  It is a consolation to know that both, I believe, truly regret what they did.  It is also interesting to know that both are doing what they love:  Pauline, now as Hilary Nathan, is a horseriding school teacher for children; and Juliet, now known as Anne Perry, is an excellent and famous mystery writer.

In conclusion, without the killing, the story would have ended better and I would have described both the movie and the story with three words:  Wonderful, heavenly, and beautiful!