Cert 18
95 mins
BBFC advice: Contains frequent drug misuse, scene of attempted suicide, very strong language
Just occasionally the background to a movie is more interesting than its end product.
In my opinion that is the case with Ben and Joshua Safdie's Heaven Knows What - a drama centred on drug addicts in New York.
The potency of this project lies with its lead, Arielle Holmes, who reflects a chaotic life constantly aimed at her next fix.
Meanwhile, she is slavishly obsessed with a boyfriend (Caleb Landry Jones) who treats her appallingly.
The movie is based on a memoir written by Holmes whose first experience of drugs was when she smoked crack cocaine with her mother, aged 12.
She was discovered by the Safdie bothers who then commissioned her to write her life story which has now been adapted to the big screen.
As its plus point, this movie is a very realistic portrayal of the dangerous existence of those who have descended into a drug addiction and consequent homelessness.
Holmes' fictional character Harley is regularly abused by her boyfriend but cannot help going back to him.
But I struggled to call this entertainment. Young people portraying addicts who spend much of the time shouting profanities at each other is irritating rather than compelling.
And shouting and finding a place to sleep, eat and have the next fix is pretty much all that happens on screen until a dramatic and unexpected denouement.
It really isn't easy viewing.
Holmes is totally believable as Harley but without being too uncharitable I have to say that playing herself is not the toughest test of her acting abilities, I would, however, be keen to see her in her next project.
Reasons to watch: realistic portrayal of descent into drug addiction
Reasons to avoid: so much shouting and chaotic storyline
Laughs: none
Jumps: one
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 4/10
Star tweet
For everyone who asks us what it's like to direct together...here is a moment during Heaven Knows What:
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