secondtake
Heights (2004)An interwoven series of stories, with a stellar performance by Glenn Close as a Broadway actress (and aggressive cougar) and a steady convincing performance by Elizabeth Banks as her daughter struggling for her own path. A third thread is multi-faceted, and a bit facile, but its important, too. That is, a man is engaged to this daughter but he seems to have had—or might still have— feelings for men.If the improbabilities of coincidence seem to much (as they do to some in "Crash" or in half of Shakespeare) then this won't hold water after awhile. But as a tightly controlled piece that has characters interacting on several planes, as a theater kind of piece made for film, it's really good. It helps a lot that the acting is intensely right without being overcooked. And the direction, but the director, Christ Terrio, brings his literary background (and limited Hollywood experience) to bear very well. It's become a commonplace to film in New York with all its new upper working class charms. But that's part of the appeal to the film. There are glimpses of the theater, some rooftop views, and so on. And lots of "regular" New Yorkers, people striving for relationship and career success. Which is what we all are going through at one point or another. And really, that's where the pleasure lies, so give it a go. A good one.
Chrysanthepop
'Heights' takes an intimate look at urban lives in New York. The movie centres around four characters: a passionate actress, a photographer and her fiancée and a struggling actor who moonlights as a waiter. Each of these characters are lost and isolated in a crowded New York. Jonathan and Isabel are engaged and only days away from getting married but, while on the surface everything appears to be okay, their relationship is very dysfunctional. Diana is a respected actress who is liked by everyone but she too craves for intimacy that she hits on pretty much anyone. The hardworking Alec is obviously struggling to become an actor in a city of struggling artistes yet he manages to get through the day while being in a secret relationship. Amy Fox has done a fine job in the writing department. The film is based on her play and the subtle way in which she peels the layers of each character comes across very well on camera. The cinematography is superb as it captures the shots very photogenically. Terrio clearly knows how to select the right locations and to present them on screen. 'Heights' also highlights the marvelous performances of its four leads. I've never particularly thought of Glenn Close as hot but here she looks absolutely stunning. Her nuanced portrayal of Diana is a knockout. Elizabeth Banks is terrific as she downplays Isabel while James Marsden is outstanding as the troubled and conflicted Jonathan. Jesse Bradford is notable in a tricky role that is a surprise element to the story. 'Heights' may not be everybody's cup of tea but it is an absorbing human drama for those who are looking for something more than mere entertainment. It is a little slow in the beginning but as we know more about the characters, we feel more involved.
Slobodan Grasic
Heights is astonishing masterpiece, artistic film with the only commercial credit put in star actors such as Glenn Close, Isabella Rossellini and George Segal. Directors who had made ripe and perfect films before their thirties are rare - for the moment I can only recollect Orson Welles, who made Citizen Kane at his twenty sixth, Jim Jarmusch, who entirely created Permanent Vacation at his twenty seventh, and at recent times Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed Magnolia at his twenty ninth. Obviously influenced by Robert Altman and his interlaced narration about interrelated people represented in his late shortcuts style and Jim Jarmusch's pseudo documentary, artistic approach to movie contents and characters, the Heights at first, superficial glance resembles Magnolia, reduced of its warmth and immediate cuts. But, although the both films are equal by their strength and deepness, they are quite different in their narration and artistic expression, leaving only Altman's transformed influence as common relation. On the other side, the influence of Jim Jarmusch is much stronger, especially regarding interaction between characters, which is more important than plot, and the elegance of Heights which resembles the one of notable Jarmusch's films such as Mystery Train, Night on Earth and Ghost Dog. Certainly, that influence is not linear, but transposed into phenomenological philosophy with optimistic devotion to humans and world at all. Elegant and artistically perfect, this film can be watched coloured, as it is made, but also as black and white, without loosing anything of it worthiness. Let us hope that Chris Terrio will not run down in his career and that he is going to make such excellent movies in the future.
Jay Harris
Heights is an independent film starring Glenn Close & featuring Up & coming actors from TV & film, Many of who I did not recognize.We follow a small group of people for one full day,In one way or another they are all connected.This is an intelligent well written script, very well acted, You (I at least) had a feeling that either I know or would like to know each member of the cast.There are all sorts of relationships here,including very well handled gay ones.Being an independent film with no special effects, it did not play in too many theatres. This is one of the tragedies of current film distribution. I saw it on cable TV, . It is available for rent.I highly recommend this film. You will not be disappointed.Rating ***1/2 out of 4, 92 points out of 10, IMDb 9 out of 10.
AD
