HOLY SMOKE

HOLY SMOKE (1999) **1/2

Reviewed 12/5/99

Jane Campion's black comedy Holy Smoke should be avoided by those who cannot do without plot. It is a terribly messy picture devoted to deconstructing cultural signifiers. P.J. Waters (Harvey Keitel) is hired by the family of Ruth (Kate Winslet) to deprogram her after she joins a cult in India. This results in a battle of wills with sex as the primary weapon. The irony is that P.J. takes advantage of Ruth in just the kind of way Ruth's family feared her cult leader would. Ruth however manipulates P.J. even more insidiously. As the film progresses, it increasingly questions whether there is any difference between the layers of meaning in accepted Western culture (such as Christianity in one pointed scene) and disreputable cult beliefs. Campion undermines her effort however by providing minimal drama to a story with stunning dramatic possibilities. Also there is no excuse for Campion's contempt for the characters, Ruth excepted. Assets are Winslet's zealous performance and Dion Beebe's striking cinematography.