Heights (2005)

Waste of time

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

I was prepared to dislike this film. I feel somehow that too much film has been exposed in and around New York for its own good. I thought: yet another story about the big city and the so called "beautiful" people. Haven't Woody Allen and many others done movies like this enough already? Apparently not.Isabel is a photographer living with her boyfriend, Jonathan and they are planning a big wedding. Jonathan is Jewish and she is a "shiksa" as his Rabbi rather crudely puts it, but that is not the problem. As it gradually becomes clear, Jonathan has been leading a double life. A British journalist who is writing a piece about a famous gay photographer is going about on assignment to talk to people he knew and about a forthcoming book of homo-erotic art photographs. And one of them is Jonathan.Eventually things unravel for Jonathan who is trying to make some kind of transition. Meanwhile Isabel seems vaguely unhappy in her relationship with Jonathan, perhaps because of his sexual ambivalence or perhaps because of wedding jitters and a fear of commitment. They seem to be drifting apart anyway, Jonathan and Isabel. She passes up a wonderful opportunity to work as a photojournalist overseas and gets canned from her portrait studio job because of her wedding plans. It has just royally gummed up her life. Meanwhile her mother, Diana (Glenn Close) is a high-powered actress and dramatic arts teacher at Juilliard. Even in New York it is a small world. Diana also knew the Mapplethorpe like photographer and when the gay British journalist helpfully shows her the pictures at a big dinner party and things really hit the fan.It is an above average film and another New York story. Moral of the story? If you must get naked, for chrissake don't let anyone take pictures. And if you must get married, skip the ceremony. The bigger and more expensive the party the less fun it tends to be for all concerned. As Thoreau once sagely observed "Beware all occasions that require new clothes."

Diana (Glenn Close) is a drama teacher who daughter Isabel (Elizabeth Banks is getting married. She's going to marry Jonathan (James Marsden) but she's not sure if it's what she should do. Her ex Mark (Matt Davis) offers her a job that might be a way out. Actor Alec (Jesse Bradford) auditions for Diana and she becomes attracted to him. And photographer Benjamin Moore is having a show...and all hell will break loose. Got all that? Multi-character drama seriously offers nothing new plot-wise but it's well-written and acted by a great cast. Close leads the way and is superb followed closely by Banks. Even Marsden, Bradford and Davis are good--and I've never really liked any of them. Well-directed with good use of Rufus Wainwright music. There's also a very passionate gay kiss. But seriously...I've seen this all before. These plots have been done in other movies. Still it's worth catching for the acting alone. Recommended.

What a wasted cast.This is one of the most disappointing films I've seen.Usually Roger Ebert does not let me down, but I feel cheated after seeing this movie.The only thrill is seeing Elizabeth banks in her bra. That is a sorry statement about this movie. It held so much promise, but it was like dry humping a transvestite.This is self absorbed tripe.I cannot express deeply enough my bitterness at having sat through this movie, and hope I can forewarn you of the same disappointment.

Heights is an independent film starring Glenn Close & featuring Up & coming actors from TV & film, Many of who I did not recognize.We follow a small group of people for one full day,In one way or another they are all connected.This is an intelligent well written script, very well acted, You (I at least) had a feeling that either I know or would like to know each member of the cast.There are all sorts of relationships here,including very well handled gay ones.Being an independent film with no special effects, it did not play in too many theatres. This is one of the tragedies of current film distribution. I saw it on cable TV, . It is available for rent.I highly recommend this film. You will not be disappointed.Rating ***1/2 out of 4, 92 points out of 10, IMDb 9 out of 10.