Have you ever found yourself daydreaming when you’re stuck in an enjoyable situation? In hopes that even if you can’t physically escape your current position, your mind can enjoy a different experience. The 1994 film Heavenly Creatures follows the true story of two girls who find themselves daydreaming about a fantasy kingdom to escape the challenging reality they are faced with.
Directed and co-written by Peter Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh, Heavenly Creatures was Jackson’s first big success, with the movie receiving a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Later, Jackson went on to direct many movies; most notably, Lord Of The Rings. The movie stars young Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet, who both went on to have successful careers. The movie was shot in Christchurch, New Zealand, where the events true story took place.
Heavenly Creatures is based on a story that Walsh discovered due to the crime the girl committed. Spoiler alert: they murder Pauline’s mother. However, Jackson and Walsh chose to shift the focus onto the relationship and the experiences of the girls, rather than the crime. Pauline kept a journal where she wrote about her time with Juliet, which is inevitably what traced the crime back to Pauline and Juliet.
Lynskey’s character, Pauline, befriends Winslet’s character, Juliet, who is a new transfer student. They quickly develop a deep bond and begin to write stories and make characters from a fictional kingdom that they call Borovnia. Juliet shares her belief in the “Fourth World,” a Heaven without Christians and where art is celebrated. Pauline and Juliet continue to play pretend and act out stories from Borovnia. As the story progresses, these fantasies blend themselves with reality. One day, Juliet’s parents announce they will be leaving for a period of time. As a child, Juliet was alone in hospitalization, and the thought of being left alone again made her panic. She begins imagining a world where she is safe and happy. and invites Pauline to come with her. They both share the imagination of the Fourth World, showing how the girls escaped to imagination.
After this, the lines between reality and fantasy become even more blurred. Pauline is faced with many challenges that she uses her imagination to mentally distance herself from. However, Pauline is faced with the worst news when Juliet’s parents decide that they are moving. Pauline already has fantasies about harming anyone that stands between her being with Juliet. When Pauline’s mother refuses to let her go, Pauline comes up with a plan to kill her mother and then leave with Juliet and her family. The movie ends with the girls killing Pauline’s mother, and inevitably getting caught and arrested.
My first time watching the movie was a little bit confusing. It can be difficult to follow, especially when Pauline’s imagination is taking over. After watching it for a second time, I picked up on certain details and aspects that made me truly enjoy this movie. The movie shows Pauline’s experiences with using daydreaming to cope, which I think could be attributed to maladaptive daydreaming. Trust me, I would love to just daydream my problems away, but maladaptive daydreaming is a disorder that becomes quite unhealthy and can cause derealization. Another aspect of the movie that deserves recognition is the relationship between Pauline Juliet. The two kiss early into their friendship, but it is never acknowledged by the girls. The only time homosexuality was brought up was when Pauline’s mother took her to a psychologist, who blamed Pauline’s moodiness on her being homosexual. The girls don’t see their relationship as anything taboo because in their eyes, they are together as their characters from Borovnia.
While it was hard to follow and understand the themes at some points, I think Heavenly Creatures is a beautiful movie that tells an interesting story. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoyed playing pretend. Overall, I think it is worth a watch, and maybe a rewatch if you’re into that.
