Boxing Helena

Saw this when it first came out in 1993, when Sherilyn Fenn was the "It" girl. I only wanted to see it because it was directed by David Lynch's daughter and I wanted to see if she was as quirky as her legendary filmmaker dad. The first viewing made me think how great a Vincent Price vehicle this could have been. Like her father, Jennifer Lynch takes us on an eerie trip about obsession and control. Fenn is Helena, the one-time lover and object of a surgeon's (sands) affection. After an accident, he takes her to his house and amputates her limbs, then places her in a box and keeps her as his possession. Sands is subtly creepy and the film has a lot of psychological dynamics and is not as bad as its IMDb score suggests. This is a film you want to see when you're looking for something 180-degrees from run-of-the-mill.

The reason this film was so despised by critics is because they believe that all films graphic and disturbing in content should be taken seriously. Not so. Julian Sands creates a truly despicable character here, and the more we hate him, the higher the testament to his performance. Easily the best of his career. Sherilyn Fenn, the finest actress of her generation, is only slightly more sympathetic in the titular role, and only because of what happens to her! About the Basinger controversy? I'll never understand that. Fenn is ten times more beautiful and infinitely more talented. A hilariously sick, visually stunning, highly entertaining film.

This thriller is one of a kind. The story is compelling and interesting.

"Boxing Helena" will lure you in, and once you are caught, cut off your limbs. This is a thriller with lots of depth and detail.

The characters are interesting and well cut out. Each bringing lots to the story, and you can immerse yourself in the characters, because they are so well brought to life. Of course, the cast have a lot to do with this as well, and the casting was perfect for each role. The scenery in the movie works well, because it has that touch of personal space to it. It is not scary or dark sets, and it works well for the movie.

The movie is not a gory or really scary one, but it will keep you thrilled with its sense of psychological dread. The story goes forward at a constant flow, never leaving you bored.

"Boxing Helena" leaves you with something to ponder about once it has ended, and I like that in a movie, that means you actually got something for your money. I recommend that you give this movie a chance if you like a movie with some depth.

A surgeon (Julian Sands) becomes obsessed with the seductive woman (Sherilyn Fenn) he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.

After receiving an NC-17 rating by the MPAA, the film was given an R-rating on appeal and released in the United States in September 1993, but received critical backlash and was a financial failure. Gene Siskel was one of the film's few defenders, writing, "I went to the theater to see it expecting the worst," and he called it, "a brave little movie that explored the provocative issue of how some frustrated men channel their inability to love a woman into cruelty." Genre fans might like it, because of the familiar faces -- Sands, Fenn and Bill Paxton. It does suffer from having no one really likable in the plot, and a few twists that may not sit well with some people.

I don't understand why people don't appreciate this movie. You have to realize that the beginning of the movie establishes how obsessed the main character is with Helena. She reminds him of his mother. Then he does not just have a "dream" about what happens like some people suggest. He is taking medication and drinks it down with a glass of wine. It is suggested that if he does not take the meds strange things happen to his mind. The hallucination helps him to realize how he needed to stay away from Helena before his obsession made something bad happen. It is established in the movie that he has some serious psychological problems to deal with because of his mother. I also find it amazing how they managed to turn the tables and have Helena realize that no one would ever love her the way he does. The seen where Bill Paxton comes in and is repulsed and Helena begs him to leave is amazingly powerful. I loved Julian Sands and Sherilyn Fenn. They were both perfect. He was pitiful and she was raw. Keep an open mind and watch for the meanings behind what the actors are doing.