SummaryA razor sharp black comedy about high school politics centers on Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) who joins an exclusive clique of popular girls named Heather (Walker, Doherty, Falk) and plays along with her new boyfriend J.D. (Slater) in a series of pranks which turn into a series of murders made to look like suicides.
SummaryA razor sharp black comedy about high school politics centers on Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) who joins an exclusive clique of popular girls named Heather (Walker, Doherty, Falk) and plays along with her new boyfriend J.D. (Slater) in a series of pranks which turn into a series of murders made to look like suicides.
Cult classic black comedy that eviscerates the teen politics of popularity. A satire with teeth which is superior to the derivative but enjoyable 'Mean Girls'. Peak 80s pop that stood out in that era's wasteland of culture, and wouldn't get past the gatekeepers of political correctness in today's puerile market.
What a period piece, really had that 80s feel and I'm loving Wynona and Christian! Teenage ****'t Do It! Don't know about you people with the low scores, but I sure had fun.
The sheer outrageousness of its attitude is enough to make Heathers a very welcome relief in a field dominated by sanctimonious and second-hand virtue. [31 March 1989]
If Michael Lehmann's direction were a bit more astute, the movie could be the classic genre mutation it aims to be: Andy Hardy meets "Badlands." [17 April 1989]
Yes, it's a collection of barbs and sick jokes, but it's not fun, and it lacks a punch line...The young, inexperience director, Michael Lehmann, doesn't find the right mood for the gags. [17 Apr 1989]
"What is your damage, Heather?"
The anti 80's teen movie. A terrific script laden with pitch black humour and dripping with cool dialogue. Winona Ryder is awesome and Christian Slater is doing his Jack Nicholson thing.
If the only 80s teen movies you've seen are The ones from John Hughes (The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink) then watch Heathers.
Seriously the most appealing thing about this little eighties monster is the title. It is a clever and memorable title that is let down by a very average movie. Firmly rooted in eighties style it becomes a chore to watch when the music is playing. The fun thing about it is the suicide theme. It is so satisfying to see these annoying teens dying off. Generally well acted and not the worst hundred minutes it is just lacking a sense of self-irony and style. The ending is terrible. It is not great and it is not bad. It is just a cheesy eighties teen rebellion movie.
In this film, a young woman named Veronica manages to join the group of the most beautiful and popular girls at school: the Heathers. However, she quickly realizes that they are futile, cold, cruel and materialistic, and quickly gains a deep dislike for them. This is where a new and unusual student comes in, with whom she quickly becomes involved. He is different and encourages her to take action. After a short while, they are murdering schoolmates... until she realizes that they are going too far.
It is a sarcastic and intelligent film that is recommended for its black humor but that should be viewed with caution by those who have more suggestible teenagers. The themes covered are appealing and the way the script does it is interesting and becomes really good if we take into account the quality of the cast, although it is not a particularly remarkable film for any of those involved. Nowadays, I think, it is a film that has fallen by the wayside, victim of the controversial theme that it decided to address.
I liked Winona Ryder's performance, still very young and beautiful. Christian Slater is also very good and they both do an excellent job together. I read that they were dating at the time and I personally believe that. I also really liked the performance of Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk and Kim Walker, who brought the three Heather's to life.
From a technical point of view it seemed to me a discreet film, betting more strongly on its plot, the story told and the performance of the actors. This was clearly a wise move by the director, Michael Lehmann, who knew perfectly well what he had in hand. Good cinematography and an intelligent use of colors and contrast are the most obvious elements, in addition to good sets, costumes and a soundtrack very well elaborated.
Thsi movie was a whinny complaint about how everybody is mean, and then a dramatization of angry people doing stupid things. I do not want to see this over dramatic 80's dribble ever again. It was not smart it was people with a good head on their shoulders throwing it away because they are incompetent.
Stupid, disappointing, unconvincing and badly acted(particularly by the lead male actor) movie which is confused in itself what it wants to be.
The movie is really bad and disappointing. It lacks conviction in so many
instances. Really bad acting by the lead male actor. Winona ryder is
cute and she has performed role very well. The movie is totally
confused in itself what it wants to be. Does it wanna be a comedy? What do the lead actors wanna do? What
kind of message the movie wants to share? What the hell was that climax?
Really really bad movie.