Heaven Knows What

Heaven Knows What is a 2014 American drama film directed by Ben and Joshua Safdie. The movie stars Arielle Holmes, Caleb Landry Jones, and Buddy Duress in lead roles. The movie is set in the mean streets of New York and follows the life of a young woman, Harley (Arielle Holmes), who is in love with a fellow addict, Ilya (Caleb Landry Jones).

Harley is a heroin addict living on the streets of Manhattan. Her life revolves around Ilya, who is equally addicted to drugs. Despite the distance between them, Harley is desperately in love with Ilya and wants to spend the rest of her life with him. After a failed suicide attempt, Harley spends time in a psychiatric hospital where she is given medication to help her deal with her addiction. However, after a few days, she decides to ditch her medication and head back to the streets to be with Ilya.

The movie follows Harley and Ilya as they beg, borrow, and steal to support their addiction. They are constantly on the move, searching for their next fix. Along the way, they meet a host of other addicts, each with their own stories to tell. They steal from shops, perform small-time crimes, and do whatever it takes to get drugs.

As the story progresses, we see Harley and Ilya's relationship deteriorate. They get into arguments, and Ilya becomes increasingly violent towards Harley. Despite all this, Harley still loves Ilya and will do anything to be with him. She even goes to the extent of selling her body to get money for drugs. One of the turning points in the movie is when Ilya gets arrested for shoplifting. When Harley visits him in jail, he tells her that he wants to break up with her. This leaves Harley devastated, and she is left alone on the streets once again.

The movie is not just about the world of drugs and addiction. It is also a portrayal of the harsh realities of life on the streets. The film shows the different types of people who live on the streets, from addicts to homeless people, to panhandlers. The directors have not shied away from showing the viewer the harshness of this life. The movie has an unpolished feel to it, which adds to the authenticity of the story.

Arielle Holmes's performance as Harley is outstanding. The actress was an actual heroin addict on the streets of New York before being discovered by the Safdie brothers. She brings a sense of realism to the role, which is heart-wrenching to watch. Caleb Landry Jones, who plays Ilya, is equally impressive. He plays the part of a drug addict with ease, giving a performance that is both terrifying and touching.

The movie is based on the unpublished memoir by Arielle Holmes, which she wrote while living on the streets. The Safdie brothers discovered her and were impressed by her writing. They decided to adapt her story into a movie.

In conclusion, Heaven Knows What is a hard-hitting portrayal of life on the streets of New York. It is a story of addiction and love, and the lengths that people will go to for the ones they love. The movie is not for the faint-hearted, as it shows the grim reality of life on the streets. However, the performances by the lead actors make it an unforgettable watch. If you are a fan of gritty dramas, then Heaven Knows What is a movie you must see.