Candy, played skilfully by the beautiful Abi Cornish; nice enough on the outside but without her daily dose the reality of her life drives her to deep clinical depression. Dan, her man, the mighty Heath Ledger, wants to do the right thing but the drugs don't help ... however is his addiction really what we initially think it is?
As with many relationships, the two play off each other with harmony and discord, the weight of the acting developing a real sense of belonging and distance as their love turns to dependency and then to the inevitable loathing when the crutch of the heroin is taken away.
Technically this was a great script, directed well and flawlessly executed by the lead characters and the support cast. The Aussies are doing these movies well. If you like depth of characters then you'll love this. If you are looking for something that depicts real heroin addiction in its nastiest form, look more for Trainspotting and the like, this is a love story which will draw you in if you let it. However, whilst substantial, no Oscar nominations here. Instead of really delving into the horror and the tenderness to produce a masterpiece, the movie as a whole fails to deliver the killer blow.
Personally I felt for the useless Dan more than for Candy, no doubt the onlooker will identify with each based on gender. You will find yourself becoming an armchair social worker as you watch helplessly on ... no happy endings here, but ain't that real life?
As with many relationships, the two play off each other with harmony and discord, the weight of the acting developing a real sense of belonging and distance as their love turns to dependency and then to the inevitable loathing when the crutch of the heroin is taken away.
Technically this was a great script, directed well and flawlessly executed by the lead characters and the support cast. The Aussies are doing these movies well. If you like depth of characters then you'll love this. If you are looking for something that depicts real heroin addiction in its nastiest form, look more for Trainspotting and the like, this is a love story which will draw you in if you let it. However, whilst substantial, no Oscar nominations here. Instead of really delving into the horror and the tenderness to produce a masterpiece, the movie as a whole fails to deliver the killer blow.
Personally I felt for the useless Dan more than for Candy, no doubt the onlooker will identify with each based on gender. You will find yourself becoming an armchair social worker as you watch helplessly on ... no happy endings here, but ain't that real life?