Heathers (1989)

Always interesting to watch an old movie and see the subjects covered that would likely be censored today.  The list here in quite long:  teen suicide, guns in schools, teen sex, bullying, smoking, mass murder.

On that happy note, Winona Ryder stars as Veronica who is the newest member of the popular group called the Heathers.  But she is conflicted about what it takes to be in the group.  She meets the perfect foil Jason Dean (Christian Slater) who gives life, or rather death, to all of Veronica's problems.  Be careful what you wish for.

The production values are the most timeless parts here.  The use of color, for example each of the Heathers, have a different color.  This is juxtaposed by the croquet game they play.  The movie progresses like a game, with each of the players getting knocked out or knocked back.

Veronica wears all blue throughout, and it is quite evocative of another 80s teen dark murderous triangle, the classic Blue Velvet.  Also strong influences of The Shining especially in the early parts setting up the scene.

More currently, this modern problem take on the comic book version of high school has been used in the Netflix series Riverdale.  We even have Betty and Veronica characters in Heathers.   The circle continues.

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