Candy (2006 film)

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Candy

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Neil Armfield
Produced by Margaret Fink
Emile Sherman
Written by Neil Armfield
Luke Davies
Starring Heath Ledger
Abbie Cornish
Geoffrey Rush
Music by Paul Charlier
Cinematography Garry Phillips
Editing by Dany Cooper
Distributed by Renaissance Films
Release date(s) 25 May 2006
Running time 116 min. (Australia)
108 min. (Hong Kong)
Country Australia
Language English

Candy is a 2006 Australian romantic drama film, adapted from Luke Davies's novel entitled Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction. Candy was directed by debut film-maker Neil Armfield and stars Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush.

Candy, produced by Margaret Fink, was released in Australia on 25 May 2006 and subsequently released around the world.

Contents

[edit] Plot

A poet named Dan (Heath Ledger) falls in love with an art student named Candy (Abbie Cornish) who gravitates to his bohemian lifestyle - and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another as they are on the drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair.

The film is organized in three acts of roughly 3 scenes each, titled Heaven, Earth, and Hell. In Heaven, rough sex and drugs are experienced ecstatically by the young lovers. They keep on asking money for drugs from anybody, including her parents, selling things, stealing, and Candy even having sex for 50 bucks when desperate.

In Earth they are married and confront the reality of the untenability of addiction and family life. For money, Candy becomes a prostitute; Dan doesn't insist and supports - he is the one to bring drugs, etc. In one scene, Dan finds a credit card, gets the owner's PIN, and steals money out of the owner's bank funds. Candy mistakenly becomes pregnant, and they try to "go clean" but their baby dies later on in her pregnancy, a little boy born still and too premature (roughly around 23 weeks), named Thomas. They stop taking drugs with huge effort, getting severe withdrawal symptoms in the process, but finally give up and continue using. Despite poverty, struggle for money, and frequent disputes, they love each other very much.

In Hell they experience the dissolution of their relationship and the recovery of one of the characters. The two lead characters choose to move out into the country to "try methadone". Candy's parents are invited for Sunday lunch. Candy, in response to her mother's critism of her lack of lunch preparation, breaks down and screams at her parents to leave. Eventually, Candy becomes involved with one of their neighbors who is a drug user and spindles backwards to her previous lifestyle. Candy starts to have a mental breakdown, and becomes extremely distant toward Dan. Dan as well returns to one of his friends and starts to use heroin again. After time spent in a rehab facility to recover, Candy returns to Dan. Dan, however, recognizes that their relationship is unhealthy for Candy, and decides to end it for good rather than risk dragging Candy back into addiction. [1]

[edit] Candy's poem

“

Once upon a time, there was Candy and Dan.
Things were very hot that year.
All the wax was melting in the trees.
He would climb balconies, climb everywhere, do anything for her, oh Danny boy.
Thousands of birds, the tiniest birds, adorned her hair.
Everything was gold.
One night the bed caught fire.
He was handsome and a very good criminal.
We lived on sunlight and chocolate bars.
It was the afternoon of extravagant delight.
Danny the daredevil.
Candy went missing.
The day's last rays of sunshine cruise like sharks.
I want to try it your way this time.
You came into my life really fast and I liked it.
We squelched in the mud of our joy.
I was wet-thighed with surrender.
Then there was a gap in things and the whole earth tilted.
This is the business.
This, is what we're after.
With you inside me comes the hatch of death.
And perhaps I'll simply never sleep again.
The monster in the pool.
We are a proper family now with cats and chickens and runner beans.
Everywhere I looked.
And sometimes I hate you.
Friday -- I didn't mean that, mother of the blueness.
Angel of the storm.
Remember me in my opaqueness.
You pointed at the sky, that one called Sirius or dog star, but on here on earth.
Fly away sun.
Ha ha fucking ha you are so funny Dan.
A vase of flowers by the bed.
My bare blue knees at dawn.
These ruffled sheets and you are gone and I am going too.
I broke your head on the back of the bed but the baby he died in the morning.
I gave him a name.
His name was Tomas.
Poor little god.
His heart pounds like a voodoo drum.

 ”

[edit] Cast

[edit] Festivals

[edit] Awards

Won:

  • 2006 Australian Writers Guild Awards: Feature Film - Adaptation (Luke Davies with Neil Armfield).
  • 2006 Film Critics Circle of Australia: Best Actress in a Lead Role (Abbie Cornish), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Geoffrey Rush).

Nominated:

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424880/faq#.2.1.5

[edit] External links

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