HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT(2014)

Heaven Knows What is a harrowing piece of work from the Safdie Brothers- crystallizing its themes of cycles of abuse and a snapshot of the heroine subculture of New York. It's a film that straddles the line between documentary work and narrative feature.

Heaven Knows What, like the preceding Safdie Brothers works, is observational in its nature about its subject matter. Its episodic narrative, while disjointed on its own, feels cohesive when viewed as a whole.

Heaven Knows What pushes and weaponizes the audience's empathy for its characters, whose deplorable actions and constant refusal to change lead to the same cycles repeating.

Perhaps, it's the reason why Heaven Knows What is so alienating to a mainstream audience. It's a minimal plot, episodic narrative, and deplorable and flawed characters could feel exhausting and overbearing after a while.

However, at times, this approach to the epnonymous "addiction film" genre becomes a virtue for the film. Its lack of narrative structure grounds the film in the day-to-day interactions of Harley Boggs (Arielle Holmes) and her compatriots.

This approach allows Heaven Knows What to avoid some of the pitfalls of the "addiction film" genre with its sensationalism, exploitative, and crass melodrama built into the genre. It straddles a thin line in the depiction of heroin and drug addicts.

Heaven Knows What is anchored by its lead performance of Arielle Holmes, giving a visceral, raw, honest performance with a hint of vulnerability. Her authentic portrayal is the lens through which the narrative shapes and distorts around her.

This authenticity is a feature in the direction of Heaven Knows What. It maintains a gritty yet surreal tone and conveys the indispensability of New York in the Safdie Brothers' filmography.

The visualscape of Heaven Knows What is highlighted by long-range tracking shots, handheld shaky cameras employing a cinema-verite technique, fluidity, and a voyeuristic gaze on the subject matter.

The soundscape of New York consists of the ambient sounds of New York while employing an electronic synth score, a revival of electronic interpretations of classical music, emblemizing the droning and towering aspect of New York.

With a manic and chaotic narrative, Heaven Knows What is provided with a unique verve and energy. Its chaotic narrative, while alienating services thematically preoccupies Heaven Knows What and the Safdie Brothers. Overall, Heaven Knows What is a film easy to appreciate but hard to love.

Writing: 6/10

Direction: 7/10

Cinematography: 9/10

Acting: 9/10

Editing: 6/10

Score: 8/10

Sound: 9/10

Prod Design: 8/10

Casting: 9/10

Effects: 4/10

Overall Score: 7.5/10