HOLY SMOKE!, the new film by Jane Campion, has not been knocked over by rave reviews. And as I watched the film and became somewhat confused by the motivation of the movie, I was not terribly impressed myself. After a day or two to think it over, however, I came to admire the film more and more, and can really recommend it for anyone who wants to think through the issues.
The story concerns a young and very attractive Australian girl named Ruth Barron, played most effectively by Kate Winslet, with a quite acceptable Australian accent. She goes to India and falls captive to a cult. Her mother travels to India to bring her back, and then hires a "cult exiter" from the United States, named P.J. Waters, played by Harvey Keitel. Keitel's role is something of a cross between his suave "fix-it" role in Pulp Fiction and his gentle sliminess in The Piano. He looks old, he has a bad haircut, and rather sleazy facial hair, and his clothing is dated.
P.J. has a three day plan to deprogram Ruth, one that he has used successfully in hundreds of cases. Except in this case, something goes horribly wrong. The family live in San Souci, in Sydney, but they all travel to Wee Waa, outback New South Wales, where the exiting takes place amidst some really spectacular scenery.
On the second night of the program, Ruth, P.J. and the family sit down together and watch videos about cult leaders and the strange control they have on others. We see footage of Charles Manson and the leader of the Heaven's Gate group. The footage is disturbing, and acts as a catalyst for Ruth to recognize that she had entered the cult while not in full control of her senses. The knowledge almost tears her apart. She loses control of herself in a manner that will make the movie long remembered. Her lack of control is honest, highlighting her vulnerability, and providing the clue as to why she had been lured into the cult in the first place. Her reaction is to latch onto P.J. and not let go.
The result is that the movie becomes a battle between P.J. and Ruth. Both characters are self-absorbed and not terribly nice people, and they challenge each other in a very complicated battle of male against female, youth against age, all colored by personal insecurities and demons.
New Zealander Jane Campion, who is most well known for her 1993 success with "The Piano", directs the film. In Holy Smoke, she again brings us a story that transgresses convention at every turn. The story is written by Campion and her sister Anna, based on the true stories of many young women who have been lured into cults. And there is something strangely honest that emerges from the film. Amid her bizarre behavior, Ruth's fragile sense of self-worth shines through.
I think Holy Smoke is well worth a look. There are some great moments, especially the opening credits to a Neil Diamond song, and the Australian outback is beautiful. There's a mad smattering of the bizarre characters that seem to color many an Australian movie, which can be a tad frustrating. But, strange and meandering as it is, Holy Smoke raises interesting issues.