Veronica: “Dear Diary: My teen angst bullshit now has a body count.”
The 1980s was a great period for film. In 1988, we got bestowed the razor-sharp gift of Heathers starring the incomparable Winona Ryder and suave Christian Slater. The film follows the life of Veronica Sawyer (Ryder) as she lives life being a part of the elite group of girls at her school, all coincidentally named Heather. Veronica disapproves of her "friends" cruel sense of humor, and quickly becomes engrossed with her new boyfriend, J.D (Slater). The film progresses with the Bonnie and Clyde-esque couple getting back at the social elite, but they end up murdering some of their fellow students. The film rides on the metaphor of suicide and how it makes the ones they killed more "deep." I won't ruin the movie for you, but it's worth a watch on Netflix.
Veronica: “Are we going to prom or to hell?”
This film was the start of the mean girl regurgitation into mainstream movies. We would have never seen Clueless, Jawbreaker, or Mean Girls if it wasn't for Heathers. Heathers was the beginning of the bitch-click that audiences love to watch.
Heather Chandler: “Grow up, Heather. Bulimia’s so ’87.”
Besides being highly quotable, the film is excellently shot, the acting is superb, and the story never falls short. The idea of two teenagers "accidentally" murdering classmates and covering it up with suicide couldn't have been an easy pitch. However, the film does it just right. The film resonates the troubled period of adolescence and the sadness of suicide. The film also shows how out of hand the world can become within the destruction of youth, and openly spoke about being gay in a time where it wasn't seen as proper.
Dennis: “I’m not belittleing the foodless fund, Peter, but we’re talking teen suicide, here. I mean ask Alison; the number one song in America today is ‘Teenage Suicide, Don’t Do It’ by Big Fun. Jesus, man, Westerburg finally got one of these things, and I’m not gonna blow it.”
Peter: “Great, so Heather gets the front page and I get crammed in by the Taco Bell coupon.”
Moreover, the film has also grown a huge cult following. The film has even had a musical adaptation. Winona Ryder was warned that this film could ruin her image, but I think this film highlighted her humor and intellect. Heathers is one of the best high school, dark comedies that Hollywood has ever made. So, get on Netflix and watch this doozy. It will be, very.
Heather Chandler: “Is this a weak turnout or what? I had at least 70 more people at my funeral.”
