Cheap Heathers (THX Version) (DVD) (Michael Lehmann) Price

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Customer Reviews of Heathers (THX Version)

The Character of Martha Dunstock
Rather than give another general review as others have kindly done, my review focuses on one aspect of the film, indeed one character, that of Martha. <
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>Martha Dunstock is known throughout the film as Martha Dumptruck. Even the film credits include the nickname `Dumptruck' besides the character's surname (evidently feeling the need to labour the point). Portrayed as unattractive and pathetically grateful for any attention she is given, she unwittingly provides the Slater character with information enabling him to murder a student. Later, when the cult status of the `suicides' (that is, murdered students) becomes apparent, Martha attempts her own suicide by walking into the path of traffic. But her attempt is shown as a failure. At the end of the film Martha is bruised and now disabled, in an electric wheelchair. Ryder's character, having finished her voyage of self-realisation, rejects the school Prom night and instead invites Martha to stay in with a video and popcorn. Martha gratefully accepts and the closing scenes show Ryder walking along the corridor while Martha encircles her like a planet around the sun. <
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>The image of Martha in her wheelchair, an object of pity for Ryder and for the audience, signifies to us fears of being different, of not being beautiful, of not being loved and respected. Martha is the person we are all frightened of becoming. She is given no means of solving her predicament by the film maker. And though some of us in the audience may be fat, or disabled, or both, we may yet still fear Martha, and are invited to consider Ryder's protagonist's journey of self discovery as our own, even is in physical and social reality, we are more like Martha. <
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>For this reason, `Heathers' fails as an exploration of the `Hell' of High School ( a description often used by Buffy/Angel/ Firefly's Joss Whedon). Those in the audience NOT as thin and complying with Western standards of `beauty' as the protagonists (probably the majority of us) ultimately may find the so-called subversion of cruel hierarchy in this film just that little too shallow, leaving a bitter after-taste. The way `fat' people are portrayed in films such as these unfortunately often reflect the predictable, transparent and absurd fixations of the film makers. Sadly this is happening even today - in some ways it has gotten even worse since the Western World decided to wage a 'war on fat' (to quote Paul Campos) - and even at best it is lazy film-making. <
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Didn't everybody feel this way in High School?
I know I did. Sometimes the pressure of stupid jocks and stupid plastics cant drive you up the wall! This movie is a great representation about the adventures of High School and trying to fit in. It sends a great message to just forget the crowd and do your own thing.

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This tape is recorded in SLP mode
i ordered the "collectors edition" and was quite disappointed to find out it was recorded in SLP mode. Even worse, this fact was not disclosed anywhere on the case or on the tape cartridge itself. i don't know why tape duplication companies have to cut corners so cheaply considering the very low cost of videotape in the last 15 years. SLP mode seriously reduced this tape quality. I definitely will not order any more tapes from Anchor Bay entertainment.