Heaven Knows What

Before hitting the big time with "Good Time", the Safdie Brothers made this uncompromising Indie gem about heroin addicts in New York based on the real-life experiences of leading actress Arielle Holmes. "Heaven Knows What" is like a 21st century version of "Panic in Needle Park" and it deserves to be just as well known. It's certainly not an easy watch but Holmes and co-stars Caleb Landry Jones and Buddy Duress are superb and you can tell the Safdies definitely had a future ahead of them. This might be off-kilter and low budget but it feels as if they had been making films for years. As "Good Time" finally showed, they have an unerring visual sense even when dealing with material as downbeat and as depressing as this and some scenes almost have a look of magic realism to them. With Holmes virtually playing herself we could just as easily be watching a documentary. The Brothers also inject a good deal of humanity into the material so while it is certainly depressing it never feels exploitative.

The story in itself is very disturbing. I had to say these actors did a sensational job. I felt like I was there living on the streets with them. They were extremely convincing.

I felt inspired to add one more review as this film has very few thus far.

I had first heard of this movie from Ariel Pink when he was working on music for the film. Initially they were toying with the idea of having him play one of the more important characters in the film, but eventually he decided to stick with music composition and a quick cameo, which can be seen in the early portion of the film. I never got to seeing it when it was released, but GOOD TIME came out, and got my attention right away. GOOD TIME ended up being my favorite film of 2017 by a longshot. Totally blew me away - the combination of everything was just stellar... the acting, the anxiousness of the characters, the pacing, the claustrophobic sort of cinematography, the synth score by Oneohtrix Point Never which is simultaneously beautiful and relentless, and of course the script and thus the movie as a whole. If a title card gives you goosebumps on it's own that's usually a really good sign.

Tonight I decided to go backwards and check out Heaven Knows What. I knew after what they delivered with Good Time, it would likely be firing on all cylinders as well, and that is exactly the case! It hits hard with just about every single one of the elements that made Good Time so great, only Heaven Knows What is a far bleaker film, probably since it's based off of the true story of a junkie, portrayed by that junkie. In Good Time, though it's still heavy, you kind of get to laugh at the characters for being such dumbasses, but in HKW, there's nothing to laugh about. These characters are all living through the bowels of existence - they are all fully psychologically emaciated - and the portrayal of it is painfully realistic. This is an extremely tragic film. If you can't find something to appreciate in tragedy, or in an analysis of psychological decomposition, then you probably won't like the movie. Personally, I found it to be some form of a masterpiece. A very fitting launchpad and showcase of ability for the incredible Safdie Brothers and for the brilliantly terrifying Caleb Landry Jones. It's also a very fitting precursor to the gripping masterpiece that is Good Time. I'm sure this was a very rewarding cathartic experience for the captivating lead, Arielle Holmes, as well - you could now call me a fan. I went to follow her on Instagram but couldn't find her :(

This film features one of the most devastating ways to start a film I have ever seen. To introduce two characters this way... that's why I give this film a 10. Everything that leads up to the title card... so, so heavy - so raw, so real. It's almost too much, and that's why it is such an accomplishment.

As such a huge Good Time fan, it's incredible to see Necro and show stealer Buddy Duress in their first roles as well. Duress really, really kills it in both this and Good Time. Such impressive performances coming from a dude who prior to this had been featured in zilch, nada, nothing.

I love reading negative reviews for films whenever I find a movie to be completely masterful. "I just couldn't figure out what this movie was about, it's incomprehensible!" LOL, really? Seems pretty straightforward to me: some junkies are living their screwed up lives, trying to survive, and we get to watch. There's nothing else to it, and there doesn't need to be. How is that incomprehensible?

I could go on, but I will stop here. As long as you are down with the bleakness, this is a movie you must see. The score by Japanese synth legend Isao Tomita is incredible as well. I'm just really wholly impressed. This movie is really gonna stick with me. I can't wait to see what the Safdie Brothers do next.

I guess I'm writing this review after seeing the one and only other review. This film is actually really very good, and for what its showing: perfect. Time is different for some people. Those with heroin in their lives don't live as we do. For them time doesn't really exist.

There is a flow and it is somewhat linear though quantum leaps here and there are possible at anytime.

There is always need.

The opening is a dream. One of Harley's perfect moments in 'time' smashed by a realisation. She has to kill herself for the man she loves? Combine this with Heroins ebb and flow and it becomes even more intense.

Love unrequited but really Ilya loves Harley too... right?

What will you do for love? Anything. What will you do for Heroin? Almost anything?

The film flows through days and night though really we are just allowed to view their lives for a short train ride. The end is Malick in style - life just keeps on flowing.

I read up a little on Arielle Holmes (Harley) - she has lived the lifestyle, and some parts of the film are based on her adventures!

It's very realistic. Just watch it all, let it flow.

Oh also, the use of modular synths and sound instead of voice (in parts) is very effective, the latter trying something new and it worked.

Truly didn't expect anything out of this, which is why it was such a huge surprise. I don't think its flawless, but effective it surely is. I feel like its style is definitely going to out off a lot of people (quite a lot actually). I mean, even from the get-go it basically affirms the type of film it'll be and how it'll be presented, with its loud, throbbing score (which is both beautiful as an individual piece, but also really disturbing in the context of the film). The performances here are compelling, all of the main actors totally and fully committed. Arielle Holmes is a true talent though, what a fantastic performance. Raw and real and totally honest, no artifice or anything. This film is fully recommended.