Even though its release went unnoticed in several countries (lucky you if I'm not talking about your own little place, because it did go unnoticed in France, where I live. Let's not mention Portugal, where it was only granted a video release and not the prestige of a theatre) Heavenly Creatures (the HC-Fan prefers to refer to it as HC) has become a cult-film among thousands of viewers, regardless of countries. Let's take a closer look at the average HC-Fan.
NOTE: The text below is an account of the average HC-Fan, which means the characteristics listed here do not belong to all HC-Fans.
How many viewings of Heavenly Creatures does it take to be an HC-Fan ?
The HC-Fan feels uneasy until he/she hasn't seen Heavenly Creatures at least 20 times. Then he/she finally feels he/she has grasped the true meaning of HC, but keeps watching it, just in case he/she would miss a detail. Of course to the HC-Fan these are not details. This may sound ironic but in the course of all these viewings the HC-Fan's perception of HC suffers several changes. This doesn't mean he/she likes it less, but the initial enthusiasm has given way to a more obsessive knowledge of the film (the HC-Fan refers to it as a 'deeper undestanding' and a 'more mature reflexion'). Feelings towards the characters in the movie may also suffer different evolutions.
What does the HC-Fan's bedroom look like ?
Well, remember Pauline's bedroom, getting more and more invaded by Deborah pictures ? It's pretty much the same, only with HC-pics. Becomes a lot creepier when the HC-Fan pins up a piccie of Pauline's own bedroom.
What impact does HC have on the HC-Fan's everyday life ?
One can safely say the HC-Fan lives for, by and of HC. Time does not matter to the brave HC-Fan, he/she does not wait for dawn to finish cracking and gets up directly to add new HC-data to his/her life (or should I say HC-life ?). If the HC-Fan is a university student, which is often the case, here's what his/her day might look like:
06:33 The HC-Fan wakes up. Possibly listens to a few Mario Lanza songs before leaving the house.
08:31 Time to go on the Internet visit some HC-sites (bugger, the room doesn't open before 09:00. Oh well, let's just go to the university video-room and watch HC before attending class).
09:57 The HC-Fan feels complete (watching HC again helped). Now he/she must endure some class.
12:00 Lunch break. The HC-Fan does not eat. He/she prefers to go on the Internet (let's not forget this is what he/she's been waiting for ever since he/she got up, 5 hours and 27 minutes ago).
12:58 More class. What keeps the HC-Fan going is the thought of re-watching HC later in the afternoon.
16:06 Exactly right. The HC-Fan re-watches HC, and finds the film truly fascinating. Plus he/she really feels like this is the first time he/she's had this thought. Bloody fool.
17:54 The HC-Fan is feeling a little disrupted from the murder scene he/she has just watched, but let's not panic unduly. He/she goes on the Internet.
19:59 The university is closing. The HC-Fan is suddenly feeling very hungry and goes home after buying some junk food.
21:32 The HC-Fan listens to the HC-soundtrack before going to sleep.
00:37 The HC-Fan can't get any sleep. Too much HC-images in his/her head. He/she keeps thinking about all the things he/she must do tomorrow on the Internet and this is keeping him/her awake!
02:11 The HC-Fan finally falls asleep. Need I say he/she shall dream that he/she is inside a computer, navigating among heavenly creatures and happy Borovnians ?
Is the HC-Fan dangerous ?
Not really. Too busy finding new things about HC everyday. No way it can ever become a serious threat. Then again, that's what they thought about Jodie Foster-fans...
What happens when the HC-Fan does find new information about HC ?
Well, that depends on the Fan. But most HC-Fans are highly unbalanced people, and you can easily spot them in a bookshop or a library, lurking around Anne Perry's books [to newcomers regarding HC-stuff: this is the name Juliet Hulme later took in life. She became a successful murder-mystery-writer under this name. Very creepy, I know] and trembling from every limb when they finally pluck up the courage to open one. But whatever the nature of that 'new information', the HC-Fan is always very excited to find new things about HC. I warn you though: beware, for pretty soon everything becomes HC-related in the HC-fan's sickened mind. Not only does the HC-Fan follow Kate Winlset and Melanie Lynskey's career, but he/she feels compelled to check everything that is HC-related in one way or another (including Christchurch maps!). On the other hand, this spreading of his/her obsession makes him/her open his/her mind, albeit unwillingly.
How can I recognize an HC-Fan ?
Very easy. The minute he/she talks - that's it, he/she's sealed his/her fate. This is the kind of chit-chat you're likely to have with an HC-Fan:
Translation class, 8 a.m. You're so bored you start drawing neverending spirals on your notepad.The HC-Fan is sitting right next to you.
HC-FAN (staring intensely at you): I think your drawing's fantastic!
Trying not to notice the weird NZ accent, you just go for the polite answer.
YOU: Thanks. I'm just doing this to keep me awake, you know. It's already quite a miracle that I didn't stay in bed...
HC-FAN (insists in talking with a NZ accent): I rose at 5:30 this morning, and did all the housework before 8 o'clock, including taking Wendy her breakfast in bed. I feel very pleased with myself on the whole, and also the future.
At this point the HC-Fan has made it quite clear that he/she is living in the Fourth World. Nothing pops into your head as an answer, and you just kind of smile, even though you can no longer conceal your thoughts: you are sitting next to a nutcase. Completely oblivious to your sidelong glances, the HC-Fan doesn't seem to mind. On the contrary, he/she holds a glowing face that lasts for half the class.
Conclusions on the HC-obsession
Like any obsession, it only attacks people that already are subjected to various obsessions. In other words, HC doesn't make the HC-Fan crazy, he/she already is. But lets' not panic unduly, for many HC-Fans have managed to lead a pretty 'normal' life so far.
Note: Like I said, not all HC-Fans are like this and this account may be a far cry for your own approach to Heavenly Creatures. Again, please do not feel offended by any of the elements on this page, for it was not meant to shock but merely enlighten the reader on the various effects Heavenly Creatures can have on our petty lives.
This page is still under construction. If you happen to know of any other HC-behaviour that was not listed here I would very much appreciate it if you sent it to me. Thanks.
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