Heights (2004)An interwoven series of stories, with a stellar performance by Glenn Close as a Broadway actress (and aggressive cougar) and a steady convincing performance by Elizabeth Banks as her daughter struggling for her own path. A third thread is multi-faceted, and a bit facile, but its important, too. That is, a man is engaged to this daughter but he seems to have had—or might still have— feelings for men.If the improbabilities of coincidence seem to much (as they do to some in "Crash" or in half of Shakespeare) then this won't hold water after awhile. But as a tightly controlled piece that has characters interacting on several planes, as a theater kind of piece made for film, it's really good. It helps a lot that the acting is intensely right without being overcooked. And the direction, but the director, Christ Terrio, brings his literary background (and limited Hollywood experience) to bear very well. It's become a commonplace to film in New York with all its new upper working class charms. But that's part of the appeal to the film. There are glimpses of the theater, some rooftop views, and so on. And lots of "regular" New Yorkers, people striving for relationship and career success. Which is what we all are going through at one point or another. And really, that's where the pleasure lies, so give it a go. A good one.

This film is about five people in New York, and their complicated connections with each other.The movie is slow and confusing to start with, as it has to introduce all the different characters, and it is mixed with scenes that would later make sense. As the film progresses, more information is revealed, and the film begins to make sense. The ending is totally unexpected, which is the beauty of the plot. The final scene at the rooftop explains everything, and yet poses more questions to be answered.What I like about this film is the character development, and also the depth of each character. Each of the five characters are convincingly human, and well portrayed. This film is a piece of puzzle, and when the puzzle is solved, it leaves you satisfied.

Overall the director gives the viewer a taste of each of the lives of the characters in the film. The basis of the film seems to focus on the idea of what is real, and what the characters want to be real and the same for what is fake. The lead, Diana, and her numerous appearances in the film, not just her physical appearance, play an opposition to the significance of Benjamin Stone and his impact that go hand in hand with his identity. Overall all a well done piece for the story that was presented, keeping a viewer absorbed with wanting to find the truth. The acting was above par for the most part. Jesee Bradford does a fine job of keeping himself in confusion as well as the audience. And Glenn Close, well shes Gleen Close, enough said, an excellent performance by and excellent actress. The one comment still in question is the usage of split screens for some scenes. Is this really a necessity for the film?

I truly enjoyed this film. I had heard so much about it online and from friends, so I finally watched it the other night. I was very impressed. It's so nice to see Glenn Close back in the limelight this past year. She is one of the best. Ms. Close was also the perfect actor to play the role of Diana Lee. She brought veracity, desperation, and charm to a character that may have otherwise been easily disliked. Desperation can be a truly likable quality in a film's character. Each one of the characters in this story had a quiet desperation about them. Desperation and denial. Key aspects of all human lives. I challenge anyone to tell me these were not realistic characters. The story itself or the situations they were put into, maybe not. You have a famed actress who has everything except a stable relationship with her husband, a struggling photo journalist slowly realizing her life isn't a perfect as it seems, a youthful lawyer seeking the perfect way to forget himself, and a young actor needing more than just a steady gig onstage. I highly recommend this film. You'll come away feeling something, and that is the most important thing.