The constrained documentary Loving Highsmith by filmmaker Eva Vitya tries to make the case that author Patricia Highsmith was a marvel both in writing and in romance.
When Highsmith died in 1995 at the age of 74, she left some words worth a lifetime, according to her biographer. “Carol” (originally titled “The Price of Salt”), plus her over 200 unpublished manuscripts and her over 8,000 pages of her personal diary.
Her handwritten entry, a snippet, read here by actress Gwendoline Christie, explores the class, race, family, romantic and professional narratives that fed the public’s image of her fictional character’s murderous impulses and Highsmith. Burning with dissatisfaction. Company of her pet snail, Hortense. Even her publisher called her “mean, cruel, hard, unloved, unloved“
Such comments are not included in Vitya’s narrative, which is intended for contrast. In “Loving Highsmith,” a queer woman like her got off the subway one stop early so strangers wouldn’t suspect she was heading to a lesbian nightspot.
Highsmith was something of a playgirl, Bitiyah discovered, a claim confirmed by several ex-girlfriends interviewed in the documentary, who said the novelist would go to Europe to party with David Bowie or wear men’s clothing. Most of her exe memories are not psychologically insightful. But these tender confidences intertwine to form the contours of a woman no one has ever truly trusted. is hindered by her competing desires to
The film selectively constructs Highsmith concepts from her whimsical notes, highlighting excerpts that support the argument that her heartbroken disappointments have forced her into isolation (“I’m Looking Forever”). ), omitting conflicts (“One circumstance — only one can drive me to murder: family life, togetherness.”).
To make her adventures feel alive, editor Rebecca Tresh stitches clips from Highsmith’s Hollywood adaptation together with recently shot, glitter-encrusted drag show B-roll. Slow-motion footage of a cowboy roping a steer is paired with Highsmith’s unsuccessful attempt to please his conservative Texas family, especially his mother Mary, who turned to gay conversion therapy. increase.
It’s hard to imagine that the author himself would have approved of the documentary’s flowery narration and sentimental sonic score. She will evoke more admiration and temper her moral outrage by exposing murderous hatred rather than her strangled love.
dear highsmith
Unrated. Running time: 1 hour 23 minutes. at the theater.