Boxing Helena
 |
| Boxing Helena | |
|---|---|
 original movie poster | |
| Directed by | Jennifer Lynch |
| Written by | Philippe Caland (story) Jennifer Lynch |
| Produced by | Philippe Caland |
| Starring | Sherilyn Fenn Julian Sands Bill Paxton Kurtwood Smith Art Garfunkel |
| Cinematography | Bojan Bazelli Frank Byers |
| Edited by | David Finfer |
| Music by | Graeme Revell |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures |
Release date | September 3 1993 |
Running time | 107 min |
| Language | English |
Boxing Helena is the 1993 debut feature film by Jennifer Lynch, daughter of David Lynch. The film stars Sherilyn Fenn as the titular Helena and Julian Sands.
Plot
Nick Cavanaugh (Sands) is a lonely Atlanta surgeon obsessed with Helena (Fenn). After she is injured in a grievous hit-and-run motor vehicle accident in front of his home, he kidnaps and treats her in his house surreptitiously, medically amputating both of her legs. Later, he amputates her healthy arms as well.
Though Helena is the victim of Nick's kidnapping and mutilation, she dominates the dialogue with her constant emasculating ridicule of him for all of his shortcomings. After some time living together she becomes lonely and returns his affection.
At the end, it is revealed that everything from the time of Helena's accident is merely a dream that Nick has been having.
Cast
- Sherilyn Fenn as Helena
- Julian Sands as Doctor Nick Cavanaugh
- Bill Paxton as Ray O'Malley
- Kurtwood Smith as Doctor Alan Palmer
- Art Garfunkel as Doctor Lawrence Augustine
- Betsy Clark as Anne Garrett
- Nicolette Scorsese as Fantasy Lover/Nurse
- Meg Register as Marion Cavanaugh
- Bryan Smith as Russell
- Marla Levine as Patricia
- Kim Lentz as Nurse Diane
- Lloyd T. Williams as Sam the Clerk
- Carl Mazzocone Sr. as Pastor (as Carl Mazzocone Sr.)
- Erik Shoaff as Uncle Charlie
- Lisa Oz as Flower Shop Girl
Critical reaction
The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. However, the media critically mauled it on its release. Helena is also remembered for the legal battle that ensued when first Madonna, then Kim Basinger backed out of the title role—Basinger was eventually slapped with a jury verdict for over eight million dollars.[1] [2] Detractors of the film have called this "the best eight million dollars Basinger ever spent", although the verdict was set aside on appeal in 1994.[citation needed]
Music
The movie appeared using different versions of the music score. Especially known is the music during the scene where Helena showers in a fountain, while a party crowd watches. The original movie-release has Graeme Revell's music in the foreground, based on the "Love Theme" used sparsely elsewhere in the movie, with vocals by Bobbi Page. It's the only appearance of this Revell composition in its entire form. When the film was released on DVD, this part of the soundtrack was replaced by "Fountain Song" performed by Wendy Levy. The reason for this change is unknown to the public.
Miscellanea
Much of the film was filmed in the Atlanta mansion of famed defense attorney Ed Garland.
The Misfits song "Helena" chronicles this story, and opens with the lyric "If I cut off your arms and cut off your legs, would you still love me anyway?" continuing in the same vein.[3]