Heaven Knows What (2014) ***
It's interesting that I've watched Benny and Josh Safdie's films in reverse chronological order, as they've gotten better and better with each film—my review of Uncut Gems (2019) here, my review of Good Time (2017) here, I have yet to see Daddy Longlegs (2009). I am glad that it happened this way because, honestly, if this had been the first film of theirs that I'd seen, followed by Good Time, I might have been less interested to see Uncut Gems.
Which is to say, Heaven Knows What (2014) is my least favorite of their films that I've seen and I can't see myself rewatching it. However it's still a good film—it has their trademark style of shooting and editing with an even more documentary-like quality. But I couldn't find myself connecting with the characters at all (it's like a Harmony Korine film without the comedy). I can appreciate that Arielle Holmes laid herself bare with her story and performance, based on her real life experiences as a homeless heroin addict. I can appreciate the realism of the filmmaking. But the non-narrative quality of the film and the sad life of the characters struggled to hold my interest for an hour and a half.
Which is to say, Heaven Knows What (2014) is my least favorite of their films that I've seen and I can't see myself rewatching it. However it's still a good film—it has their trademark style of shooting and editing with an even more documentary-like quality. But I couldn't find myself connecting with the characters at all (it's like a Harmony Korine film without the comedy). I can appreciate that Arielle Holmes laid herself bare with her story and performance, based on her real life experiences as a homeless heroin addict. I can appreciate the realism of the filmmaking. But the non-narrative quality of the film and the sad life of the characters struggled to hold my interest for an hour and a half.
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