Murder - a new extracurricular activity?

Heathers (1988) – A Review

Director ~ Michael Lehmann

Producer ~ Denise Di Novi

Writer ~ Daniel Waters

Starring ~ Winona Ryder, Christian Slater

‘Heathers’ is a dark twist on your typical high school film, which mocks the stereotypical cliques within an American high school in the 80s. The top clique at this school is the 'Heathers' which central character, Veronica (Winona Ryder), is a part of; alongside three other girls all called Heather. Veronica is different from the ‘Heathers’ in more ways than just her name. She longs for her old, less popular life and hates the deliberate cruelness displayed by the leader, Heather Chandler (Kim Walker). Veronica is instantly attracted to bad boy J.D. (Christian Slater) and they enter into a destructive relationship that quickly turns into a killing spree. They bond over their mutual disdain for the ‘Heathers’ and with J.D.’s coaxing, they begin to kill each of them off, disguising the deaths as suicides.

The tone is highly satirical, keeping the film away from becoming too frightening or even disturbing. The script is cleverly written, and the acting great, making it difficult to judge J.D. and Veronica for their actions. Additionally all the characters are very aware of the teenage clichés that they each fall into, adding to the sardonic tone of the film. I enjoyed the film for its tongue-in-cheek view of the plight of middle class teenagers whose life problems are really just incredibly shallow. The entire concept of the film is centered on the fact that ultimately these high school problems that we encounter at that age, are in fact insignificant and pointless. The way that this is demonstrated in this wonderfully black comedy is both enjoyable and interesting to watch. I recommend it to any fan of the ‘John Hughes-esque’ high school films of the 1980s as a refreshing take on the genre.

Favourite Quotes ~

J.D.: Chaos was what killed the dinosaurs, darling.

J.D.: People will look at the ashes of Westerburg and say, "Now there's a school that self-destructed, not because society didn't care, but because the school was society." Now that's deep. 

Veronica: It's one thing to want someone out of your life, but it's another thing to serve them a wake-up cup full of liquid drainer. 

J.D.: The extreme always seems to make an impression.

J.D.: I like it. It's got that what-a-cruel-world-let's-toss-ourselves-in-the-abyss type ambience.

Veronica: If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being. You'd be a game-show host. 

Veronica: Dear Diary, my teen-angst bullshit now has a body count.