Candy (2006)

O An excellent must-see
O Good rental choice
O Mediocre
X Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / April 24, 2007

“Candy” is the explicit depiction of two heroin junkies who are in love. Though edited for content, this movie unflinchingly shows us the affiliated horrors of drug addiction.

“Candy” isn’t a terrible film; it’s just unpleasant and horrifically sad — but not for the reasons that you might expect. The acting is phenomenally convincing. We continually feel compelled to call someone to help the two protagonists.

Dan (Heath Ledger) and Candy (Abbie Cornish) are truly in love. We have no doubt about that. Neither do we doubt that they love heroin just a little more. He is an aspiring poet; she is a painter. And with their “recreational pharmaceutical” habits, the two young lovers are not a financially sound pairing: Poverty envelops them.

“Candy” reveals their love story and its sorrows. We watch the couple pass through three stages: heaven, earth and hell. The second act, the earth phase, has the saddest moments I’ve ever seen on film.

If you’ve ever watched “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004), then you’ll be familiar with the shroud of discontentment and pensiveness that this movie drapes upon you, except “Candy” anchors its melancholy with stark and unapologetic realism.

Directed by Neil Armfield
Heath Ledger / Abbie Cornish / Geoffrey Rush
108 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 18 and up

DVD release date: March 27, 2007
Copyright 2007.
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