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Heathers (THX Version) Customer Reviews (19 - 21 of 43 Reviews)

Little Darlings run amok
The Heathers are the darlings of Westerburg High, the "in" girls who hang out with the jocks, garnering the envy of all. But these ultra-snobby girls do what most 80's teens do, drink, party and make the oddballs feel bad. Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) is on the edge of the group, drawn to their cool chic but turned off by their childish and mean-spirited pranks. When Veronica finds herself attracted to Jason Dean (Christian Slater), bad things happen: the lead Heather "commits" suicide, two jocks kill each other in a parody of gay bashing. But JD, the misfit personified, has even bigger plans for Veronica and himself. Overcome with self-disgust for assisting in JD's murderous machinations, Veronica turns on him and they do battle.

This movie was immediately successful but has enjoyed more popularity as a cult classic, but its post-Columbine humor pales a bit in the light of events. There is also rampant homophobia, which may have been funny pre-AIDS, but also loses its edge with a quick reality check. On the upside, Ryder is at her sneering and mocking best, especially when teamed up with Christian Slater, who channels Jack Nicholson throughout. The costumes are equally over-the-top, giving the piece a very period look, although Slater's ubiquitous black trench coat is a bit jarring (again Columbine). Viewed in the perspective of the times, Heathers is a sharply tuned satire on teenaged class-consciousness. It is almost eerie to consider the cheerful cynicism of 1989, when the film was released. To remain a cult classic it is necessary to ignore the blatant disregard of gays and escalating school violence. Heathers is an example of the good old days, before the world got more complicated and attitudes more sensitive. If nothing else, this film clarifies what we've known all along: Shannon Doherty really is a Heather. Luan Gaines/2005.



Chaos was what killed the dinosaurs, darling.
After I finished watching Heathers for the first time, I couldn't help but look over my body to make sure that I wasn't bleeding from any cuts. This was literally the sharpest written film that I have ever experienced arriving from the 1980s. From the dialogue to the story to the underlying symbolism that hits you right in the face, it is hard to believe that this film isn't on the top list of everyone out there. It reminded me of the first time that I watched Fight Club. The darkness surrounding Tyler Durden was nearly the same as what followed Slater around as he forced Ryder into these situations. In fact, the similarities between the two films are outstanding. I would love to take these two movies and watch them back to back to see what else could be connected. For those that liken Heathers to Mean Girls, I would say "yes", but Fight Club has more relevance. Even the film The Suicide Club seemed to ooze a bit of Heathers the first time I watched it. Either way, this movie stands out above anything else that I have witnessed. The dark characters, the lines spoken by the actors and the story just seeped "cult classic" and should be watched by everyone interested in film.

I have to applaud the actors in this film. I realize that this was one of Christian Slater's first films and he was phenomenal. The speeches that he delivered spoke to me and really defined him as a better actor than what he eventually became. Ryder was exceptional as well. The chemistry that these two had together should go down in film books as one of the quirkiest romances Hollywood has ever contrived. Their ability to make us believe in their plight as well feel their frustration and anguish is tough to find in today's Hollywood. Combined with some great performances by (gasp...should I say it?) Shannon Doherty, Lisanne Falk, and Kim Walker as the three "Heathers", you cannot help but find yourself lost in these rich, devoted characters. While the story carries itself, these actors brought the words of the screenplay to life. They spoke of more than just high school drama, but instead the status of our society and the absurdity of suicide. They changed themes, destroyed stagnant decisions, and opened the door to so many possibilities, both dark and comical, that I am shocked that more isn't explored with this film. If I were to grab three films about our society to show to a race of aliens, I would take Fight Club, The Suicide Club, and Heathers. These are the films that are not afraid to speak the truth about our world.

I need to go ahead and say "WOW" to the story. Not just "WOW" in a state of shock, but also a "WOW" in the style of excitement. I did not see this film coming. I knew that it had been promoted as this "dark comedy", but I have seen plenty of those and was concerned that it just wouldn't hit the buttons that it needed to. Again, and I love to say this, but I was wrong. Daniel Waters dove deep into the world of High School and exposed some of the darkest corners that other Hollywood films were afraid to touch. Even Mean Girls never quite hit the buttons that it should have. This movie talked about sex, parties, drugs, clicks, and the harshness of being an outcast. It did this in such a "real" way that you could not't help but think back to your own High School days while watching this movie. The language is so intense that after you watch it for the first time, certain quotes are just imbedded in your mind. What other film can you say creates that impression? I know of only a handful that I walked away from still quoting the movie. Heathers is a success and should never be ignored.

Finally, I would like to give credit to director Michael Lehmann for exposing such a brutal topic and not going too commercial with it. There were some moments where you could tell that there was a Hollywood path that Lehmann could have followed and made viewers probably happier, but instead he completely turned and went a new direction. There were scenes that I was shocked to see, like the scene in the bathroom with Heather and her pills, because it was as if Lehmann was creating more than just a story, but an entire world. His attention to detail and obvious hand on the pulse of the young adult world was obvious in this film. Lehmann successfully created a lasting dark comedy that is both thought provoking and exciting at the same time. I would even go so far as to say that this might have been the best movie to come out of the 80s, but I don't want to jump too soon ... but it is close.

Overall, I suggest Heathers to everyone and anyone. I also suggest skipping any version that comes on television and go straight to getting it on DVD. The R-rating gives you the full effect of this film, while I think anything less would diminish the quality of this Grade "A" work. For those that passionately loved Fight Club and want to see the issues expressed in that film on a high school level, than this is the film for you! Amazing from beginning to end with some of the greatest quotes any singular film has created! I cannot wait to watch this film again ... and again ... and again ... and again ... and again!

Grade: ***** out of *****

Couldn't have been worse
Bah! No wonder it's horrible, it was released in the winter time. A feeble attempt probably to bring the box office out of it's winter slump. This movie has helped me develop a new phobia, properly called Christian-Slaterphobia. This was the worst movie I've ever seen.

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