Candy Review
by Tim Voon (winklebeck AT hotmail DOT com)November 14th, 2006
Candy (2005)
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 2006 Timothy Voon
3 out of 5 stars
Cast - Abbie Cornish, Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush
Director - Neil Armfield
In general, I am not a fan of movies that have drug addiction as its central theme. Thus movie plummets from heaven to hell in 90 minutes leaving me a little disheartened about how desperate the human condition can become. Ominous dread swept over me, the first instance Candy (Abbie Cornish) shoots up in the bathtub and Dan (Heath Ledger) her boyfriend frantically tries to revive her.
This movie is divided into 3 sections by Neil Armfield. The relationship of Dan and Candy are interwoven with the state of their drug addiction. The two cannot be separated.
Heaven. When two lovers first meet their future appears bright and everything is exciting and possible. There is no hatred, anger or doubt there is only love to carry them. Like when they first experiment with cocaine or heroin, the experience is bliss.
Earth. These young lovers are still in love, but the future is not so rosy and not so bright. The sun is now clouded by rain clouds as reality sets in, and they are brought down to earth from their perch in the sky. To survive they need make shameful compromises. Food and shelter does not come free, and drugs are now a necessity, not a passing pleasure. Gone is the wonder of youth and ecstasy of life.
Hell. Love is destroyed by the constant cravings of another hit. Madness sets in, as love turns to hate, and everything that was once beautiful ultimately becomes ugly, contaminated by the seductive demon of drugs.
Fortunately, this movie does not end with two dead bodies, as that would have been truly disappointing and cliché'. Instead, I left with the understanding that two people can be passionately in love with each other, but this passion can also be their downfall. For some unexplained reason, love can be destructive and sometimes it is best that two people remain apart for that reason.
Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish are excellent as the self destructive, Dan and Candy. This movie is a good acting vehicle for both of these talented young actors. They do not disappoint. Geoffrey Rush also gives a memorable as Casper, a gay drug addict who befriends them.
This is not an enjoyable film to watch by any means, it is grimy dirty and ugly, all the things you would associate with the world of drug addiction. However, it is also well acted and directed. Not a movie that I would watch again anytime soon, but one that I can appreciate for the message it contains.
Timothy Voon
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