Customer Reviews

Candy

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in 2002 I went through a phase in which I wanted to read novels concerning heroin addiction. I read Ryu Murakami's Almost Transparent Blue, William S. Burroughs' Junky and Queer, and Hunter S. Thompson's, more about excessive drug use than heroin addiction, one after the other. I am not quite sure how I came across Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction, but its green cover depicting nothing more than a couple of rusted spoons fascinated me and I purchased the novel and read it over a couple of days. I must say while the book was not quite as well written as some of the previous books that I have mentioned, Candy had some of the most grueling and wretched chapters that I have ever read concerning both withdrawal and filth that total addiction can become. (There was a scene in the book when the narrator had to pull out crabs from one of Candy's most private areas in the novel which, of course, did not make it into the film) Sow when I heard that Candy had been made into a film I was on it like white on rice.

Candy opens with Dan, Heath Ledger, a friend, and his girlfriend Candy getting ready to take some heroin. Dan chops up the dope finely with a razorblade for the girl to snort, but she tells him that she wants to do it his way by injection. Unfortunately after her first time taking heroin this way, Candy nearly dies, but is saved by Dan when he injects her with salt water. This brief scene foreshadows the downfall the couple will face, but their strong bond of love, as well as addiction carries them on and they eventually marry much to the discontent of Candy's white bread family. After their marriage, and as their addiction grows, the young couple begin to steal more and Candy becomes a prostitute to support their habit. When will it end?

Candy is a slow, meditative film on the horrors of addiction and how said addiction can not only destroy oneself, but those around one as well and while it might not be quite as hard hitting as the novel, it is still an example of some quite good filmmaking.

"Candy" is a poignant little drama dealing with both drugs and a relationship, and more specifically the drugs that affect that relationship.

Heath Ledger gives one of his best performances as Dan, a heroin addict who meets Candy (Abbie Cornish), at first a young innocent girl. Immediately, Dan and Candy become inseparable wanting to do everything together. Pretty soon, Candy is also a heroin addict and the couple are scrambling to get money to feed their habit...Meanwhile, there is their friend Casper (Geoffrey Rush, who gives Oscar-worthy supporting work) who both encourages them to quit, but supplies them when they need any.

Now, I've seen a lot of drug movies, great ones (Requiem for a Dream, Spun, A Scanner Darkly, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Jesus' Son, etc.); But never until this one have I seen a drug movie that could actually convince people to stop doing drugs or to never do them at all. The filmmakers went incredibly realistic for their portrayal of drug use and how it affects people and many of the scenes were painful to watch. The withdrawal scene in particular is agonizing, as is the following "labor" scene...All the performances in this film are incredible; Especially Ledger, Rush, and Cornish. The script, based on a novel by Luke Davies, doesn't go for all the cliches that have made up many other movies before it. "Candy" is a movie that had it not been such a small production, it could've scored some Oscar nominations...This is a great little film and I highly recommend that if you're reading this you see it.

GRADE: A

Sadly I give my review after Heath Ledger's death...I have watched this movie several times in bits and pieces over the past two months and have gotten something new from it each time. I got the chance to sit and watch the whole thing through on January 21st. This movie sucks you in and holds your attention.

It runs the gambit of emotions. It made me cry with their losses; it made me mad they had no strength; and when their spirits broke - well, you'll just need to watch it. This is a story from a bright beginning down the dark path to an ending that was beautifully perfomed and which put Heath Ledger in the top 3 on my list of favorite actors. I already miss the movies we will never see from this man.

"Candy" - not to be confused with the 1968 comedy of the same title.

Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish give great performances as Dan and Candy, couple in love both addicted to heroin in this small Aussie film. It is the world of the characters who say they can and will change tomorrow but they don't. Like Al Pacino in "The Panic in Needle Park," the film works as convincing portrait of the youth who has nowhere to go, who knows virtually nothing about themselves and their life except that they are slowly going down.

My 3 star rating is based solely on the authenticity of each episode, not the way they are connected to one another. Director Neil Armfield (also respected theater director) knows how to tap the depth of actors' skills, but still couldn't overcome the episodic nature of the source material. (The film is based on a book by Luke Davies who also co-wrote the script with the director). About 30 minutes in, we realize that for all the riveting turns from the actors and three-dimensional characters the film offers familiar things except the very impressive ending. Even the fantastic support (more like a cameo) from Geoffrey Rush as "chemist" Casper couldn't change that.

"Candy" is well-acted and often depressing, but not as devastating as "Requiem for a Dream" thanks to the romantic side of the story, love-hate relation between Candy and Dan, which could have been explored more.

For Dan (Heath Ledger) and his girfriend Candy (Abbie Cornish), there are love and drugs and nothing else; maybe there's nothing more. "We're junkies," Candy tells a housing representative. Both she and Dan have just woken from sleep and are sitting up in bed-- her admission is as naked as their bodies. Their self-awareness is more troubling than anything else in this superb, harrowing movie.

The film owns up to the pleasures and consequences of tripping out. Because of this, it fuses beauty and horror. Several of the beautiful scenes are unforgettable (a kiss in a car as it drifts through a carwash; bubbles that swirl around Dan and Candy as they glide through a swimming pool's immaculate blue water).

In addition to the beauty and horror, there are surprising narrative gaps and a complete absence of background detail. For better or worse, we have only Dan and Candy in their present circumstances for anchors. We feel as engulfed by their love and self-destruction as they do.

Ledger is particularly good-- witness how deftly he portrays Dan's flirtatious phone call to a man whose wallet he's stolen. Geoffrey Rush plays a suave, decadent chemistry instructor with a fondness for handsome young men; his urbane energy complements and balances Dan and Candy's desperation. The film is well directed by Neil Armfield, who co-wrote the script with Luke Davies (it's based on Davies' novel of the same name). Garry Phillips delivers solid photography; Dany Cooper delivers solid editing.

Will the lovers save themselves or not? That question never goes away. The film is draining, riveting, and stunning.

Candy is easily one of the best films about people addicted to heroin (or even drugs in general) that I've seen in quite some while. Although the two young lovers in this story are hooked on heroin, they are also hooked on each other and it is through their relationship that we get a very special focus on them as human beings with value and worth and not just two junkies who are difficult to like or possibly even identify with. Extra points get thrown in for outstanding performances by every actor in this movie, Heath Ledger as Dan and Abbie Cornish as Candy are completely convincing as are Geoffrey Rush as Casper, Tony Martin as Candy's father and Noni Hazlehurst as Candy's mother. The cinematography works wonders for this movie and the choreography reflects good judgment. The plot moves along at a good pace and I was never once bored. The script was well written and the musical score enhances the experience quite a bit.

When the action starts, we quickly meet bohemian poet and heroin addict Dan (Heath Ledger) who has a touching love affair with his girlfriend Candy (Abbie Cornish). They are both hooked on heroin when the picture starts but we get the distinct sense that there might be a real chance for Candy to kick the habit; Dan is already much too hooked to be able to quit without professional help. We see Dan and Candy love each other, fight with each other, drop into their friend Casper's (Geoffrey Rush) home for heroin or money to buy heroin, and we also see them alternately trying to avoid or tap Candy's parents for money. Candy's parents gradually begin to suspect Dan and Candy are using drugs when Dan has a trip and falls asleep on a coach as someone is speaking to him at their wedding reception although Candy is too far gone by that point to admit to her mother than she and Dan are junkies.

Unfortunately, the situation for Dan and Candy only gets worse; and this is a great reason why this film shows people why they would want to quit using heroin and drugs in general. Dan and Candy are so hard up for money to buy drugs that Candy turns to prostitution for money; and even though Dan doesn't like that he wants his heroin more than he wants Candy to be only with him.

Dan and Candy try to turn their lives around and quit when Candy discovers that she's pregnant--but will they be able to do it? They're quite hooked and not in any drug treatment program; but wow, how they try hard. Candy's parents continue to be kept in the dark; and Dan has no relationship at all with his parents so they practically don't even know he's alive much less using drugs or about to be a father. There's another question, too--what role will Casper play in their efforts to kick heroin? Will Casper do the right thing and withhold the drug from them or will he cave in himself? After all, Casper himself uses the drug even as he is given a great job teaching at a local university. No spoilers here--watch and find out!

The DVD comes with a few extras; two good ones are a short featurette about "Candy's poem" and the brief but very enjoyable "making of" featurette.

Overall, Candy is one outstanding movie that ranks very high in my book. I highly recommend this for fans of the actors in this movie; and people interested in the themes of drug addiction, love and the good and the bad that can come with love will enjoy this film as well.

'Candy' is an Australian film, a love story between two junkies. The movie divides itself into three parts: Heaven, Earth, and He||. Dan (played by talented and memorable Heath Ledger - RIP Heath) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) have a love that's true. Their highs are high and their lows are low. At one point, after spiking up and nodding off during their wedding reception at Candy's parents, they sit outside McDonald's sipping chocolate shakes and declaring "We're the coolest people at McDonald's".

Their days are spent hitting up friends and family for money, stealing, hawking what possessions they have, and finally turning to prostitution to feed their heroin habits. They speak of the clean life, yet scoff at it when their next fix is due. Best friend Casper (Geoffrey Rush) winds out taking them in. Casper is their homo$exual father figure and sometimes provider. Dan and Candy's lifestyles go up and down, depending on their drug use. Candy confesses to a rent-collector that "I'm a prostitute and he's worthless, we don't have any money". Their lives deteriorate though pregnancy, miscarriage, and eventual nervous breakdown. Can a love this true withstand the trials of heroin, heartbreak, time, and tragedy?

The movie is based on the novel 'Candy' written by Luke Davies. (Watch for Davies in the film, in his cameo of the milkman) The novel is one of the best books I've ever read, Davies puts a whisper of poetry into his words, making them beautiful and hypnotic. While the movie stays close to the book, there is the added role of Casper, and the fact that Dan and Candy fight more in the film than in the book. Certain parts are left out, like the lazy day spent picking crabs off each other. If you like the movie, you really MUST read the book. The acting is superb in this film (what a tragedy to lose Heath Ledger). The costume designer captured the "look" of the addict, especially with Dan's greasy, unkept look. The script was well done and the atmosphere is perfect. Rent first, then buy. Enjoy!

Reminiscent of Aleister Crowley's novel Diary of a Drug Fiend, Candy is a work of art. Those who have actually felt the gnawing desperation along with the highs of love and drug addiction will appreciate this film for it's authenticity and vulnerability. When one is addicted to anyone or anything nothing else matters, literally. Reviewers using the word cliche feel pretty clever I imagine. However there are no cliches in this movie for this is exactly how it is. The physical and emotional torture these two young actors endured to make this movie should emphasize how important they felt this project was. There are scenes that make you sit up in panic a moment after Candy asks to "try it your way", lean back in a daze trying to keep it from turning into dizziness as they circle each other in a blur, laugh at the pathetic hilarity as they load a washer into the trunk of their car and head to the pawn shop, feel the rush when they kiss as if they haven't seen each other in years or when the hit hits the bloodstream, the fist clenching grief of parents struggling to keep their composure as their baby girl lies to their face, and finally the deep sigh as the credits appear knowing that this is how it must end whether we want it to or not. If you are interested now please watch it. If you understand what I've been saying you really should own this film.

I picked up this movie because I love the actor Heath Ledger. I was thrilled with this movie the entire time I watched it. It was definately something new for me in the way of a drug movie, but it wasn't completely about the heroin. It was also about love. There was love for each other, and love of the drug. Through the entire movie the viewer is left to figure out which love is paramount.

Heath did an amazing job portraying Dan. And Abbie Cornish did a very good job playing the title character Candy. The supporting cast was also very good and helped tie the movie together.

I will definately be purchasing a copy of this movie because it does say a lot about the relationships people have with each other, and how an addiction, be it anything, can effect them. I learned a lot watching this and it prompted me to read the book, which is also worth your time.

The reason I say it was difficult to watch is because of the subject matter. I find it incredibly hard to see people so hooked on drugs that they sell themselves on the street. I wish they had given a little background about the characters. Was Dan always a no good lout, or did his addiction bring this out in him? What did these two people see in each other aside from the physical and the fact that they were both hooked on heroin. How did they meet? You are dropped right in the middle of the relationship and they are already junkies. I gave it four stars because in spite of this flaw, it was still a good movie, with great performances by the three lead actors. Heath Ledger as Dan leaves behind his pretty boy image. Abbie Cornish is spectacular as Candy, and Geoffroy Rush is their mentor/friend who supplies them with drugs, and he gives a wonderful performance, as always. He is also a college professor, who eventually dies of an overdose. The final scene in the movie is quite moving. "Spoilers* When Candy is released from the hospital after suffering a breakdown, she visits Dan at his job, where he is a dishwasher. (Well, at least he has a job now, and he's drug free) You can see that they still love each other, but Dan turns her away probably because he knows that if they get back together, they will get back on the drugs. Its what their whole relationship was based on. They have no other way of relating to each other. Also, Candy had miscarried their child, and I think there were just too many bad memories for their marriage to survive. Heath Ledger blew me away in the scenes where he held their still born baby, and when he cried at the end because he knew he had to let Candy go. So, so sad.