Heavenly Creatures analysis

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Based on a true story, this film is a a biopic which is about two young girls (Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme) who conspire to kill Paulines mothers when she tries to end and interferes with their intense, obsessive relationship. This is the murder scene showing great shots which show a lot of thriller conventions, for example a lot of close ups on the time. For example before they all go out there is a close up on the clock in their house, as time is a very important factor, as when there is a crime happening the police always like to know what time it happened so the clock then symbolises that a crime is going to happen. Another factor of this clip which adds to suspense is that when they are walking it is in slight slow motion showing a dream like feel to what’s happening, this makes you feel that it is unrealistic. It also shocks you as you then think is this really happening? You know something awful is about to happen by the intensity of it, you can see in the girls faces that they are going to do something horrific and your just waiting for it to happen. Peter Jackson creates a lot of suspense in the finale of this film as it looks as though they are having a normal walk but really it is building up to a climax, which is the brutal murder.
                        
The location of this film is somewhat glamorous compared to most thrillers as instead of the normal dreary and dismal locations displayed it shows the beautiful landscape of Christchurch which adds to the authenticity of the film. It’s not a stereotypical thriller location meaning that it contrasts to other thrillers and makes this film more chilling as you wouldn't expect a murder to happen there which adds ambiguity. This location also challenges generic conventions as it turns something lyrical, which is the beautiful scenery and sound of birds singing in the background, to a rather diabolical place when you then hear the angry screams of both of the girls. The place where they go for a walk has very narrow pathways showing that there mother is trapped with them and won't be able to escape, this adds to the fear as the audience can see how in danger there mother is. There is the shot which shows the narrow pathway there mother is going to take, this shows that there is no going back for the three characters. T
                                             

Continual close up shots of all the characters feet are shown throughout there walk to symbolise the importance of the journey they are about to embark upon. Not only are they physically going on a journey but they are mentally as they are changing from being innocent school girls to being murderers, challenging the stereotypes of how young girls should act.




The character Honora Parker Rieper is shown in the mise-en-scene with a bright light reflected onto her face, this indicates her importance to what is going to happen. I think this is a great shot to signify a characters importance and is a good shot to use in a thriller, as it not only shows the audience that something significant is going to happen with that character, but it also shows that character as being innocent. This is represents religion as if someone was to go to heaven you picture a bright light coming down on them, so this could symbolise her death as some people may say you go to heaven when you die, so maybe this a clue that her death or something dreadful is about to happen.

A close up of Juliets hands held together is shown to show that she is nervous about the events about to unfold, and signifies that she may be unsure about whether she is about to do the right thing. The soundtrack played throughout their walk is called "The intermezzo" from Puccinis opera "Madam Butterfly". This specific soundtrack may have been use as it shows lyricism which counteracts with the brutality of what happens in the finale. It adds a lot of suspense to the clip as well as it goes perfectly with the scenery and builds up the tension of what's about to happen, as although the audience will suspect something awful to happen, the sudden contrast in sound may shock them.