Quick reviews of Anne Heche films

Psycho 1998 , Heche in lead role as Marion Crane

A copy of the Hitchcock original in most details, except in color and cast. Music, casting, acting, and early pacing are inferior to original, but this shouldn't be a surprise. After a second viewing, it seemed much worse. This film doesn't grow on you.

Return to Paradise 1998 , Heche in lead role as Beth Eastern

Two friends must decide whether to return to Malaysia to prevent a third friend from being executed for possessing drugs. Anne plays a lawyer attempting to convince the two friends to return. Well written, beautifully photographed, well directed, well acted -- and a tour de force performance by Anne. The only things not looking good are Malaysian justice, and Jada Pinkett's role (again -- she was also "bad girl" to Anne in If These Wall Could Talk)

Six Days Seven Nights 1998 , Heche in lead role as Robin Monroe

A comedy with Harrison Ford. She plays a NY editor on vacation who becomes stranded on a tropical island with a grumpy pilot who values a simple life. The warmest performance of her career. The film steals from a half-dozen classics, but works because the two stars do their jobs. Without them, the film wouldn't get two stars.

Wag the Dog 1998 , Heche in lead role as Winifred Ames

A satire of hollywood in the service of political spin. AH works beautifully with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs up.

I Know What You Did Last Summer 1997 , Heche as Melissa Egan

This is a slasher film with a modicum of class. Anne plays a backwoods, frumpy, somewhat creepy, loner. She looks at home in the part ,as she does in every part she plays. This is not the part you would expect a "star" to play, but it is the part you would expect a professional to play, and she is brilliant.

Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs down, "This movie is so bad, it's bad." But Anne comes out looking much better, "She upstages everyone. What's she doing in this movie?"

Volcano 1997 , Heche in lead role as Dr. Amy Barnes

A disaster flick where the city everyone loves to hate (especially here in northern California) gets more comeuppance. She plays the female lead opposite Tommy Lee Jones. For what the role is intended to be, she does a bang-up job -- after all, the real star is the lava , the flames, the destruction. Official Volcano page. Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs down, with little mention of AH.

Donnie Brasco 1997 , Heche as Maggie Brasco

Heche plays the supporting role as the wife of Donnie Brasco, an undercover FBI agent working inside the mob. His work doesn't let him see much of his wife or his kids. Pacino is incredible as a low-level mob character. The movie is excellent, as is Heche's role in it. As in Juror, she manages to pack just the right emotional punch into a minimum of screen time -- and firmly anchors her part of the story. Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs up, with little mention of Anne.

If These Walls Could Talk (TV) 1996 , Heche as Chris

Heche plays a college girl in the final segment who finds herself pregnant and who has a short time to decide whether to get an abortion. Heche is technically great in each scene, but I did not get a total sense of who the character was; I don't think the writer did either.

Walking and Talking 1996 , Heche as Laura

Heche plays the "girl who gets the guy", but the movie is mostly about her (lovable) best friend who has trouble with guys and perhaps trouble with Heche's character getting a guy. Don't be surprised if you see yourself and your friends in the characters. This is a great movie with great dialog and great performances all around. Heche has a lot of screen time and uses it well. Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs up.

Pie in the Sky 1996 , Heche as Amy

The laserdisc doesn't mention Heche on the cover, but she does an outstanding job anyway. I had to see this film a second time before it felt like it hung together, but it mostly does. Heche is mercurial but instantly responsive to the Josh Charles character emotional meanderings.

The Wild Side 1996 , Heche as Alex

This is a "smart girl wins and gets everything she wants" kind of sexploitation movie, and Heche is the smart girl. And it is STEAMY. Heche gets fourth billing for her lead role, but OK, she ain't box office yet. The Movie itself misses on most cylinders -- one wonders why this film was made (and as it turns out, was released in the form it was -- see Long Article (total file size is 170k)).

The Juror 1996 , Heche as Juliet

The Juror Heche plays a doctor friend of Demi Moore's character. She has only a few minutes of screen time, but she manages to pack her scenes with just the right emotional and kinesthetic touch to complement the story. This performance proves the drama axiom, "there are no small parts, only small players" -- and Heche is a big player here. She steals every scene, it's hard to take your eyes off her.

Kingfish -- the story of Huey P. Long (TV) , Heche as Aileen

Heche plays Aileen, Long's secretary and mistress. The part demands great range, from an innocent girl seeking a job, to a smart political operative, to forgotten "family member". Tour de force.

Against the Wall (TV) 1994 , Heche as Sharon

Heche plays Kyle MacClanahan's wife in a workman-like manner. The role is relatively cartoonish, but Heche breathes a little life into it. The film is actually pretty good, in spite of the rough start and the brutality shown in depicting the Attica uprising.

Girls in Prison (Showtime) 1994 (no stars), Heche as Jennifer

This film deserves awards for worst script and worst direction. It was also cheap (intentional) and humorous (unintentional), very campy. In the face of such material, Heche is over-the-top in her now-familiar joyous vamp/bad-girl routine. As one of central characters, she manages to add a little redeeming value.

I'll Do Anything 1994 (no stars) , Heche as Claire

Heche only has a two-second scene where she delivers a very interested "hello" to Nick Nolte. This film is terrible, but is actually interesting to watch BECAUSE it is so transparently bad. A how-not-to course on editing, writing, directing.

Milk Money 1994 , Heche as Betty

Heche is marvelous as a ditzy gangster moll. This is one of the best film characters she has created. Unfortunately, the film is otherwise a waste of time. Siskel and Ebert: two thumbs down.

A Simple Twist of Fate 1994 , Heche

Heche plays the unnamed girlfriend of the "bad guy" and shows the evils of not having a passenger-side airbag. A small part, done flawlessly. Siskel and Ebert: Gene thumbs up, Roger thumbs down.

Adventures of Huck Finn 1993 , Heche as Mary Jane Wilks

Heche plays the undemanding role of the newly-fatherless daughter of a wealthy southern family, who becomes preyed upon by two con men (Jason Robards is one). She befriends Huck and everything turns out OK (it IS a Disney film!).

O' Pioneers (TV) 1992 , Heche as Marie

Heche plays the young and too-soon wife of an older farmer. She has other visions about how life should be lived and flirts her way into trouble. This made-for-TV movie is unbearable (boring, cliched, stilted) to watch when Heche isn't on screen.

An Ambush of Ghosts 1993, Heche as Denise

Not reviewed yet. Heche's agent confirmed the existence of the film. The performer of the music would also love to see it released on tape. Help anyone?

The Investigator TV (Showtime)

Not reviewed yet. Heche's agent confirmed the existence of the film. Help anyone?

Note 1: for more particulars of each film, see the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB)

For other "professional" and non-Heche-centric reviews of Heche's films:

[Going to any of the links below will download a 110k file...]

General articles	Walking and Talking	Kingfish, a Story of Huey P. Long	Pie in the Sky	The Wild Side
Milk Money	O Pioneers	The Adventures of Huck Finn	The Juror

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