CANDY (2006) (***)
29 01 2008 |
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This “drugs are hell” film doesn’t blaze any new territory. However, a solid script and powerful performances makes this bleak film worth seeing. Additionally, the film will probably gain some cult recognition for featuring one of the last performances of Heath Ledger, whose recent death has been rumored to be drug-related. It’s a cautionary tale that presents the idea that a drug user doesn’t want to stop when they can and can’t stop when the want to.
Dan (Ledger) is a fledgling poet who has fallen for the promising painter Candy (Abbie Cornish, ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE). Dan comes from a turbulent family life, while Candy had a more stable upbringing, but not any better in the emotional support department. Candy has been on edge her entire life due to her demanding mother (Noni Hazlehurst). Her father Jim (Tony Martin) is a caring parent, but one who refuses to confront the problems that are right in front of him. Dan and Candy get into recreational drug use through the older Chemistry professor Casper (Geoffrey Rush, QUILLS). Before too long, the young couple has sold most of their possessions to fund their drug addiction. Later they will fall further and further into more destructive, demeaning and dangerous behavior.
Ledger and Cornish develop characters that we like. They have formed a family of two that we see is much better than what they have had previously. However, once the drugs take control over their lives, it forces a wedge between them that grows in size by the day. When Candy gets pregnant, the twosome realizes that they have to clean up, but that is far more difficult than they could ever have anticipated. The one thing that is unique about their characters is their lack of denial. They understand that they have a problem, but do not have the will to stop.
Director Neil Armfield adapted the script from Luke Davies’ novel. Though the film doesn’t make any new points about addiction, Armfield still makes this story emotionally engaging. The result of Candy’s pregnancy is a harrowing episode that won’t leave the viewer for quite some time. He’s also helped by restrained performances from his cast. Drug movies tend to lend themselves to more showy performances, but Ledger and Cornish focus their portraits on the mind numbing effects of drug abuse. Cornish is equal to Ledger, whose subtle longing is heartbreaking at times. She steps out from the film as an actress to watch.
I’m happy to see this film get some attention. I saw it last year and was impressed by Ledger’s performance but mostly, by Abbie Cornish who I’d never seen before.
It’s sad the circumstances in which the film will receive added attention, but the performances are worth the price of admission or rental or your cable bill for the channel it plays on. I agree Cornish is an actress to watch. And it will stand as a lasting testament to the talent that was lost when Ledger died.
This was one movie in which Heath Ledger’s acting was soo good that apparently no one knew that he even did this movie. Really sad and as Rick mentioned above, the world of cinema has lost a potentially great actor.
Hopefully we will be treated to two more performances from Ledger. We will certainly have THE DARK KNIGHT, but I hope Terry Gilliam finds a way to salvage THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS. If his performance is as fun as his last effort with Gilliam on BROTHERS GRIMM then it will serve as a fond farewell.
i can not say that i have ever been more intrigued by any other movie than candy. i have personal experiences that i can relate to that are in the story, and the way dan and candy (heath and abbie) potray these characters, is nothing short of absolutly AMAZING. to tell you the truth, im somewhat glad that it was not a “BIG HIT”… i cant really explain why.. but i think just bc it is simply so unique. i walked into a local movie store, saw it, looked interested, and ended up watching it OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. i love it. like the movie says, its a love triangle, a boy, a girl, and a drug. and thats the perfect way to put it. i really hate what happend to heath. its very sad. also, i was hoping to see and candy 2. which probably would not have ever happend, but since the death of heath, no one could act out dan the way heath did.
Sometimes when we discover lesser known films that touch us on a personal level we become connected to them like it’s our own little treasure we found. The sense of discovery can be exhilarating. Like being privy to a great secret. To take a line from THE HISTORY BOYS (which was about books but can be applied to all art) - the best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you’d thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it’s as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.