Jackson's hallucinatory, Oscar-nominated (Best Original
Screenplay) study of teenage obsession bodes well for his forthcoming
Lord Of The Rings. Equal honours go to the humans and Claymation
inhabitants of Borovnia for the vividness with which Jackson infuses
his portrayal of teenage murderers Pauline Parker (Lynskey) and
Juliet Hulme (Winslet, in her breakthrough role). The withdrawn,
mutinous Lynskey and brash, self-confident Winslet are as different
as their characters – lower class Paul, spoilt Juliet – and
extraordinarily convincing. The intense focus on the girls'
friendship avoids sensationalism while capturing their strange
psychological bond and fantasy world.
