“Heavenly Creatures” is thrilling biography film that combines drama and fantasy in a rather unique way. From director Peter Jackson, who would go on to make the famous “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, this film tells the tale of one of the most infamous crimes in the history of his native New Zealand. It’s disturbing, fascinating and inventive in equal measure.

Set in the 1950s, we meet Pauline Parker (Melanie Lynskey “Up In The Air”) and Juliet Hulme (Kate Winslet “Titanic”). They’re two teen girls in Christchurch and they form a very strong friendship. What initially seems like an innocent relationship, grows into something much more sinister. As their bond grows, they develop an obsession with an alternate reality. Their rejection of mainstream society and the Christian religion leads them to a warped worldview and the duo will stop at nothing to prevent anybody from separating them.

Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet are both excellent. I believe that these are both real girls from the 1950s and that they really believe in the morally corrupt fantasy they share. The other performances are good. However, the two main girls just do an excellent job. The fantasy characters look great; Jackson has always known how craft intriguing visual effects (even with little to no money). I do like the sequence where the two girls imagine being followed by Orson Welles. This isn’t the only film of 1994 to feature somebody playing Welles as “Ed Wood” also had a scene depicting him.

“Heavenly Creatures” contains some brilliant special effects but it’s the characters and the writing that make this so grand. Maybe it ends a little too abruptly but that’s just a testament to how much I was enjoying this picture. It really does take you into the mind of two mentally deranged individuals. People want to talk about Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and his “King Kong” remake. I understand that yet it’s undeniably a shame that people overlook this gem.